Phases of the moon Flashcard

Front

What are the main phases of the moon?

Back

The main phases of the moon are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, fully illuminating its surface as seen from Earth.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from Earth, making it invisible to observers.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waning Gibbous Moon is the phase after a Full Moon, where more than half of the Moon's surface is illuminated but decreasing.

Front

What is a Third Quarter Moon?

Back

A Third Quarter Moon occurs when half of the Moon's surface is illuminated and the illuminated part is decreasing, appearing as a half-circle.

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What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase after a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and increasing.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase before a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and decreasing.

Front

How does the position of the Sun, Earth, and Moon affect the phases of the Moon?

Back

The relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon determine which part of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, creating the different phases.

Front

What is the sequence of moon phases from Full Moon to New Moon?

Back

The sequence is: Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent, New Moon.

Front

What is the significance of the Moon's orbit around the Earth?

Back

The Moon's orbit around the Earth causes the changing phases of the Moon as different portions of its surface are illuminated by the Sun.