Moon Phases Describe the changes in the observable

Moon Phases Describe the changes in the observable shape of the moon over the course of about a month. SC. 4. E. 5. 2

The Earth revolves around the sun and at the same time, the moon is revolving around the Earth. The position of the moon as it orbits the Earth relative to the sun determines the phase of the moon. Moon Phases

Phases of the Moon As the moon circles the Earth, the shape of the moon appears to change; this is because different amounts of the illuminated part of the moon are facing us. The shape varies from a full moon to a new moon.

Waxing Gibbous First Quarter Crescent Moon Full Moon New Moon Waning Gibbous Old Crescent Last Quarter Phases of the Moon

Characteristics of the Moon The Moon is approximately 384, 400 km (239, 000 miles) from the Earth. The Moon is about 1/4 the diameter of the Earth. The average temperature on the surface of the Moon during the day is 107°C. The gravity of the Moon is about 1/6 the gravity on the Earth. That means that a person who weighs 180 pounds on Earth would only weigh 30 pounds, if measured on the Moon. The major feature we can see on the Moon are its craters. These have apparently been caused by the impact from meteors over millions of years.

The NEW MOON is invisible because the lit side is facing away from Earth. New Moon Phases of the Moon

The CRESCENT MOON occurs when a small piece of the moon is visible as the moon revolves around the sun. Crescent Moon The crescent moon is between a half moon and a new moon. Phases of the Moon

The moon continues to orbit making a right angle with the sun. This moon phase is called the FIRST QUARTER MOON or a HALF MOON. One quarter of an orbit has been completed and only one quarter of the moon’s surface is visible from Earth. First Quarter Moon (Half Moon) Phases of the Moon

Waxing Gibbous Moon A WAXING GIBBOUS MOON can be seen between the half moon and the full moon. Phases of the Moon

A FULL MOON occurs when half of the moon’s surface can be seen from Earth. This phase can be seen when the Earth is between the sun and the moon. Full Moon Phases of the Moon

A WANING GIBBOUS MOON can be seen between the full moon and the half moon. Waning Gibbous Moon Phases of the Moon

The moon continues to orbit once again making a right angle with the sun. This moon phase is called the LAST QUARTER MOON or a HALF MOON. Three quarters of an orbit has been completed and therefore, three quarters of the moon’s surface is visible from Earth. Last Quarter Moon Phases of the Moon

A CRESCENT MOON is visible midway between the half moon and a new moon. Phases of the Moon Waning Crescent Moon

One Complete Cycle New Moon Phases of the Moon

The Phases of the moon