1. Moon Phases
a. Demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun.

2. Phases of the Moon

3. The Phases and How we See them

4. Quick facts for the back…
Wax means to get bigger
Wane means to get smaller
Wax on/wax off (visibility begins from the far right and gradually increases until a full moon is reached. After it is reached, the right side fades away until the next new moon.
Moon phase completion takes 29 days and 12 hours completing a Lunar Calendar.

5. Phases of the Moon Waxing crescent New Moon
Moon lies between the sun and the Earth
Side facing Earth is dark
Moon is NOT visible (EXCEPT during a Solar Eclipse)
Less than a quarter of the moon is visible
The visible part slowly becomes larger
You see the moon from the right side with light
Backwards “C”

6. Phases of the Moon Waxing Gibbous First Quarter
Moon forms a 90˚ angle with the sun and Earth
Right half of the moon is visible (light)
Left half is dark
2 equal halves
Close to full moon visibility
More than a quarter is visible on Earth
Slight darkness on the far left side

7. Phases of the Moon Full Moon Waning Gibbous
The moon is aligned with the Sun and Earth (Earth is in the middle)
The entire side of the moon facing Earth is bright (visible)
More than a quarter is visible
Far right side is dark
Visible portion is becoming smaller

8. Phases of the Moon Last Quarter Waning Crescent
Moon, Sun, and Earth form a 90˚ angle, so the side facing earth is half dark/half bright
Visible part will slowly get smaller
Visible part is the left side with right side dark
Less than a quarter is visible
Visible part is getting smaller towards the new moon
Only a sliver on the left side is visible, right side is all hidden
Looks like the letter “C”