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 Earth, including 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 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, allowing us to see the entire illuminated side of the moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

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

Back

'Waxing' refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is increasing, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

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

Back

'Waning' refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is decreasing, 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 becomes visible and is increasing in size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

A Waning Gibbous is the phase of the moon that occurs after a Full Moon, where more than half of the moon is still illuminated but is decreasing in size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What causes the moon's phases?

Back

The moon's phases are caused by the amount of sunlight that is reflected off the moon's surface as it orbits Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the Last Quarter moon phase?

Back

The Last Quarter moon phase occurs when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, but the illuminated part is decreasing, occurring about a week after the Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1