Moon Phases

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are the different shapes the moon appears to take as it orbits the Earth. They include New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the entire illuminated side of the moon is visible from Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What does 'waxing' mean in relation to the moon?

Back

'Waxing' refers to the period when the moon is growing or getting bigger in illumination, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What does 'waning' mean in relation to the moon?

Back

'Waning' refers to the period when the moon is shrinking or getting smaller in illumination, moving from Full Moon to New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and visible.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

A Waning Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs just before the New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated but decreasing in size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is the phase when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Third Quarter Moon?

Back

A Third Quarter Moon, also known as the Last Quarter, is the phase when the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about three weeks after the New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous is the phase of the moon that occurs after the First Quarter, where more than half of the moon is illuminated and growing towards a Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1