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 does 'waxing' mean in relation to moon phases?

Back

Waxing refers to the period when the moon appears to be getting larger, moving from a New Moon to a Full Moon.

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 fully 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 is a Waxing Gibbous moon phase?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous moon phase occurs after the First Quarter when the moon is more than half illuminated and is still growing towards a Full Moon.

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 does 'waning' mean in relation to moon phases?

Back

Waning refers to the period when the moon appears to be getting smaller, moving from a Full Moon to a New 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 when less than half of the moon is illuminated and decreasing.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent moon phase?

Back

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

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