Moon Phases

Front

What are the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are the different shapes of the Moon as seen from Earth, which change over a cycle of about 29.5 days. They include 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, and the entire illuminated side of the Moon is visible from Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What does Waxing mean in Moon phases?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What does Waning mean in Moon phases?

Back

Waning refers to the period when the visible portion of the Moon is decreasing, from Full Moon to New Moon.

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 visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the Last Quarter Moon?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous Moon is the phase when more than half of the Moon is illuminated but it is not yet a Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waning Gibbous Moon is the phase when more than half of the Moon is still illuminated but is decreasing in visibility after a Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase right after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1