1. Phases of the moon handout
Sun: way the heck to the left

3. R L

4. Last Half/ Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Waning Gibbous R L
New
Full
Waxing Crescent
Waxing Gibbous
First Half/ First Quarter

6. Notice the changing diameter of the Moon during the 'moonth'
Notice the changing diameter of the Moon during the 'moonth'. As the Moon's orbit brings it closer to earth (perigee) at the New Moon, it appears larger to us. Also notice how the Moon 'rocks' up and down and back and forth. That happens because the Moon's orbit takes it above the Earth's equator (allowing us to see more of the south polar region) and below the equator revealing more of the north polar region of the Moon. The back and forth (east-west) rocking is due to the changing orbital velocity of the moon.