Phases of the Moon Why the Moon Shines

Phases of the Moon

Why the Moon Shines The moon is lit by sunlight bouncing off it which reaches Earth as Moonlight. l You will see that the moon’s shape appears to change. l The different shapes that the moon appears to have are called PHASES OF THE MOON. l

8 Phases of the Moon

New Moon l The new moon is the phase of the moon when the moon is not visible from Earth, because the side of the moon that is facing us is not being lit by the Sun.

Waxing Crescent Moon l A thin layer of the moon is visible. In this stage, Waxing means that the moon is slowly becoming more visible.

First Quarter Moon l We can see half of the moon as it continues to become more visible.

Waxing Gibbous Moon l At this stage, almost all the moon can be seen.

Full Moon l Occurring when the Earth lies between the sun and the moon so that the moon is visible as a fully illuminated disc.

Waning Gibbous l The moon appears to be almost full. In this phase, the word Waning means that light emitted from the sun to be moon is starting to disappear.

Last Quarter Moon l Half of the moon is visible and the light is continuing to disappear from view.

Waning Crescent Moon l A thin layer of the moon is visible. In this stage, the moon has almost reached the new moon phase and the cycle will then start again.

The Moon Causes the Tides l High Tide Low Tide

The Moon Causes the Tides The gravitational pull from the moon causes the water level of the Earth to fluctuate depending on the position of the moon relative to the Earth. l There is a high and low tide every day as the Earth rotates. l

Eclipses Solar vs. Lunar

Solar Eclipse l Occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially covers the Sun as viewed from some location on Earth. Occurs during the day.

Solar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse l Occurs when the Moon passes behind the Earth such that the Earth blocks the sun’s rays from striking the moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Occurs at night time.

Lunar Eclipse

Time- 1 Day l Day- When the Earth completes one rotation about its axis. Takes 24 hours.

Time- 1 Month l Month- When the Moon completes all 8 phases. Takes approximately 30 days.

Time- 1 Year l Year- The time it takes the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun. Takes approximately 365 days.