The Phases of the Moon
Moon - Earth Relationship The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon appear as if it is changing shape in the sky. These changes are called “phases” of the Moon. The Moon goes through 8 different phases in a period of 29.5 days.
The cause of these phases is the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Notice that no matter what phase the Moon is in, HALF of it is ALWAYS lit by the Sun. (Which half is always lit? The half that is facing the Sun.). Click Here
A View from Space
Same View from Earth
The reason that we do not always see a Moon which is half lit is because of our position relative to the Moon and the Sun. As the Moon moves in its orbit, different portions of it appear (to us!) to be lit up as we look at it from Earth. This is why we see lunar phases.
A View from Space
Same View from Earth
8 Lunar Phases from Space New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon Waning Gibbous Second Quarter Waning Crescent
8 Phases Viewed from Earth New Moon The lighted side of the Moon faces away from the Earth. All we see is dark! Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth Waxing Crescent This moon is seen right after noon moon. Waxing = growing The crescent will continue to grow larger and larger every day! Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth First Quarter The right half of the Moon appears lighted and the left side of the Moon appears dark. Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth Waxing Gibbous This Moon can be seen after the First Quarter Moon, but before the Full Moon. The amount of the Moon that we can see will grow larger and larger every day. Waxing = growing Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth Full Moon The lighted side of the Moon faces the Earth. The Moon that we see is very bright from the sunlight reflecting off it. Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth Waning Gibbous This Moon can be seen after the Full Moon, but before the Last Quarter Moon. The amount of the Moon that we can see will grow smaller and smaller every day. Waning = grow smaller Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth Third Quarter The left half of the Moon appears lighted, and the right side of the Moon appears dark. the part of the Moon that appears lighted gets smaller and smaller every day. It will continue to shrink until the New Moon, when the cycle starts all over again. Click here to View from Space
8 Phases Viewed from Earth Waning Crescent This Moon can be seen after the Last Quarter Moon and before the New Moon. The crescent will grow smaller and smaller every day, until the Moon looks like the New Moon. Waning = grow smaller Click here to View from Space
Phases of the Moon Now that we know all the Phases of the Moon click on the picture below to watch an animation of our Moon’s cycle.
MOON Calendar Click on the image below to see a MOON Calendar. You can see the phases of the moon for each day of any month!
Quiz Time! What phase of the moon is this? Great Job! This is a Waxing Crescent Moon
Quiz Time! What does Waxing mean? Great Job! Waxing means growing
Quiz Time! How many moon phases are there? Your Right! There are 8 Moon Phases!
Quiz Time! What phase of the Moon is this? Your super smart! This is a Full Moon!
Quiz Time! What phase of the Moon is this? Way to go! This is a Waning Gibbous!
Quiz Time! What does Waning mean? Awesome! Waning = grow smaller !
Quiz Time! This is a picture of a New Moon. Where is the sun in relation to the moon? Your Right! The sun is behind the moon!
Let’s try our hand at a different type of quiz…up for the challenge Just click on the moon below! Note: you must scroll down the web page to get to quiz!