Moon Phases

Front

What is the First Quarter moon phase?

Back

The First Quarter moon phase occurs when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, appearing as a half-circle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon occurs when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, making it appear completely round.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous moon phase?

Back

A Waning Gibbous moon phase occurs after a Full Moon when the visible illumination is decreasing, but more than half of the moon is still lit.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

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

Back

'Waxing' refers to the phases of the moon when it appears to be getting larger, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Crescent moon phase?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent moon phase?

Back

A Waxing Crescent moon phase occurs after a New Moon when a small sliver of the moon begins to be illuminated and is increasing.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Last Quarter moon phase?

Back

A Last Quarter moon phase occurs when half of the moon is illuminated, but the light is decreasing, appearing as a half-circle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

How many main phases does the moon have?

Back

The moon has eight main phases: 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 the difference between waxing and waning?

Back

'Waxing' means the moon is getting larger, while 'waning' means the moon is getting smaller.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1