Moon Phases Foldable Half of the Moon is

Moon Phases Foldable

Half of the Moon is always lit up by the sun. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different parts of the lighted area. http: //www. nasm. si. edu/apollo 30 th/moontheater/phasepage 2. html

The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon look as if it is changing shape in the sky.

This is caused by the different angles from which we see the lighted part of the Moon's surface. These are called "phases" of the Moon.

The Moon passes through eight major shapes during a cycle that repeats itself every 29. 5 days. The phases always follow one another in the same order: 1. New Moon 2. Waxing Crescent 3. First Quarter 4. Waxing Gibbous 5. Full Moon 6. Waning Gibbous 7. Last Quarter 8. Waning Crescent

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.

New Moon Ø Moon lies between the sun and the Earth Ø Side facing Earth is dark Ø Moon is NOT visible (EXCEPT during a Solar Eclipse)

Waxing Crescent Ø Less than a quarter of the moon is visible Ø The visible part slowly becomes larger Ø You see the moon from the right side with light Ø Backwards “C”

First Quarter Ø Moon forms a 90˚ angle with the sun and Earth Ø Right half of the moon is visible (light) Ø Left half is dark Ø 2 equal halves

Waxing Gibbous Ø Close to full moon visibility Ø More than a quarter is visible on Earth Ø Slight darkness on the far left side

Full Moon Ø The moon is aligned with the Sun and Earth (Earth is in the middle) Ø The entire side of the moon facing Earth is bright (visible)

Waning Gibbous Ø More than a quarter is visible Ø Far right side is dark Ø Visible portion is becoming smaller

Last Quarter Ø Moon, Sun, and Earth form a 90˚ angle, so the side facing earth is half dark/ half bright Ø Visible part will slowly get smaller Ø Visible part is the left side with right side dark

Waning Crescent Ø Less than a quarter is visible Ø Visible part is getting smaller towards the new moon Ø Only a sliver on the left side is visible, right side is all hidden Ø Looks like the letter “C”