Phases of the Moon

Front

What are the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are the different shapes of the Moon we see from Earth, which change as the Moon orbits around the Earth.

Front

How many main phases does the Moon have?

Back

The Moon has four main phases: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the phase when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and we cannot see it from Earth.

Front

What happens during a Full Moon?

Back

During a Full Moon, the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and we can see the entire illuminated side of the Moon.

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Front

What is a Last Quarter Moon?

Back

A Last Quarter Moon is when the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about a week after the Full Moon.

Front

What causes the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun, which affect how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is a lunar cycle?

Back

A lunar cycle is the time it takes for the Moon to go through all its phases, which is about 29.5 days.

Front

What is a waxing moon?

Back

A waxing moon is when the visible part of the Moon is increasing, from New Moon to Full Moon.

Front

What is a waning moon?

Back

A waning moon is when the visible part of the Moon is decreasing, from Full Moon to New Moon.