Understanding the Moon's Phases

What causes the moon to appear differently each night?

• The moon's rotation

• The moon's phases

• The moon's reflection of the sun

• Earth's shadow on the moon

How long does it take for the moon to complete one orbit around the Earth?

• 29.5 days

• 7 days

• 365 days

• 24 hours

Why does the moon appear to shine brightly in the night sky?

• It is close to Earth

• It is covered in reflective ice

• It generates its own light

• It reflects light from the sun

What is the term used to describe the growing visibility of the moon's illuminated part?

• Eclipsing

• Shrinking

• Waxing

• Waning

What does a 'gibbous' moon phase mean?

• The moon is less than half visible

• The moon is almost fully visible

• A thin slice of the moon is visible

• No visible moon

When can a lunar eclipse occur?

• During a new moon

• During a waxing crescent

• During a full moon

• During a first quarter moon

What phase follows the full moon as the moon starts to appear less illuminated?

• Waning gibbous

• Waxing gibbous

• First quarter

• New moon

Which phase is the moon in when it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun?

• Third quarter

• Full moon

• First quarter

• New moon

What is the phase called when only a small part of the moon is visible before it becomes new again?

• Third quarter

• Waning crescent

• Waxing crescent

• New moon

What should you try to do the next time you see the moon?

• Guess the moon's distance from Earth

• Predict the weather

• Determine the moon's size

• Identify the moon's phase