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, including New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, making it appear round and bright in the night sky.

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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.

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Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous is the moon phase that occurs after the First Quarter and before the Full Moon, when more than half of the moon's surface is illuminated.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

A Waning Crescent is the moon phase that occurs after the Last Quarter and before the New Moon, when less than half of the moon's surface is illuminated.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Last Quarter?

Back

A Last Quarter, also known as the Third Quarter, is the phase when half of the moon's surface is illuminated and it is decreasing in illumination.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a First Quarter?

Back

A First Quarter is the moon phase when half of the moon's surface is illuminated and it is increasing in illumination.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

How long does it take for the moon to complete one cycle of phases?

Back

It takes about 29.5 days for the moon to complete one full cycle of phases.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What causes the moon phases?

Back

The moon phases are caused by the changing positions of the moon, Earth, and sun, which affect how much of the moon's surface is illuminated from our perspective.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the term for the moon phase when it is less than half illuminated but not yet new?

Back

The term is Waning Crescent.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1