Phases of the Moon

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase is when the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from the Earth, making it invisible to us.

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The Full Moon phase occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, allowing us to see the entire illuminated side of the moon.

Front

What is the First Quarter Moon phase?

Back

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

Front

What is the Waning Crescent Moon phase?

Back

The Waning Crescent Moon phase is when less than half of the moon is illuminated and it is decreasing in visibility, occurring just before the New Moon.

Front

Why does the same side of the moon always face the Earth?

Back

The same side of the moon always faces the Earth because the moon spins on its axis at the same rate that it orbits the Earth.

Front

What does 'generate' mean in the context of the sun?

Back

In this context, 'generate' means to make its own light, as the sun produces light through nuclear fusion.

Front

What is the difference between a waxing and waning moon?

Back

A waxing moon is increasing in illumination, while a waning moon is decreasing in illumination.

Front

What are the eight main phases of the moon?

Back

The eight main phases of the moon are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What is a lunar cycle?

Back

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

Front

What causes the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are caused by the changing angles of sunlight hitting the moon as it orbits the Earth.