Moon Phases

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What is a full moon?

Back

A full moon is the lunar phase when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, making it appear fully round.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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What is a waxing gibbous moon?

Back

A waxing gibbous moon is the phase that occurs after the first quarter and before a full moon, where more than half of the moon is illuminated.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a waning gibbous moon?

Back

A waning gibbous moon is the phase that occurs after a full moon and before the last quarter, where the illumination is decreasing but still more than half.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a new moon?

Back

A new moon is the lunar phase when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from the Earth, making it invisible.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a waxing crescent moon?

Back

A waxing crescent moon is the phase that occurs after a new moon and before the first quarter, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a waning crescent moon?

Back

A waning crescent moon is the phase that occurs after the last quarter and before a new moon, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and decreasing.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the first quarter moon?

Back

The first quarter moon is the phase where half of the moon is illuminated and occurs after the waxing crescent phase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the last quarter moon?

Back

The last quarter moon, also known as the third quarter, is the phase where half of the moon is illuminated and occurs after the waning gibbous phase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

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

Back

It takes approximately 29.5 days for the moon to complete one full cycle of phases, known as a lunar month.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What causes the different phases of the moon?

Back

The different phases of the moon are caused by the relative positions of the Earth, moon, and sun, which affect how much of the moon's surface is illuminated.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1