The Phases of the Moon Our Moon orbits

The Phases of the Moon

Our Moon orbits around the Earth just like planets 29. 5 days to orbit the Sun. It takes our Moon ____ complete its orbit. The path is a slightly elliptical or oval shape. At its closest point, the _______, perigee the Moon is 221, 000 miles (356, 000 km) from the Earth. At its farthest point, the ____, apogee the Moon is 252, 000 miles (406, 000 km) away.

The Moon’s orbit and its rotation take the same amount of time. Because of this, we same side of the Moon. always see the _____ Near side of the Moon Far side of the Moon Animation of the Moon rotating and orbiting the Earth. http: //science. howstuffworks. com/dark-side-of-moon 2. htm

The Moon revolves in an eastward ____ (counterclockwise) movement. It rises in 50 minutes later our sky approximately ___ each day.

The Sun illuminates _____ half the sphere of the Moon at all times. Depending on where the Moon is in relation to the Earth during its 27. 5 orbit, the Moon appears in our sky in different phases.

Let’s look at different phases of the Moon. New Moon First Phase: ____ day and down The Moon is up during the ____, through the night. The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun so the side of the moon not illuminated. We facing the Earth is ____ cannot see the Moon during this phase. _______

Waxing Crescent part of the Moon is During this phase, _____ beginning to appear. The sliver can be seen each evening for a few minutes just after sunset. It rises at 9: 00 a. m. and sets at 9: 00 p. m. We say the Moon is waxing because each night it is _______ more visible and for a longer becoming _____ period of time.

First Quarter ____ One half of the moon is visible for the first half of the evening. It rises at noon and sets at _____ midnight _____.

Waxing Gibbous A Gibbous Moon is when ______ more than half of the Moon is visible. A waxing gibbous is the Moon when it is past the quarter Moon and becoming _______. larger All but a small part of the Moon can be seen. The Moon rises at 3: 00 p. m. and sets at 3: 00 a. m.

Full Moon During a full Moon we can entire face of observe the ______ the Moon. The Moon rises at 6: 00 p. m. and sets at all 6: 00 a. m. It is visible ____ night!

Waning Gibbous A waning gibbous Moon is the Moon in between a full Moon and a third quarter Moon. It is more than half, but _____ smaller It getting ____. rises at 9: 00 p. m. and sets at 9: 00 a. m.

Last Quarter or Third Quarter half of the Moon One _____ is visible. It is still in its waning phase and the visible part is getting smaller each night. It _______ rises at midnight and sets and noon.

Waning Crescent small sliver of the Finally, only a ______ less of Moon is visible. Each night _____ the Moon is visible for less time. It rises at 3: 00 a. m. and sets at 3: 00 p. m.