Moon Phases

Why do we see different phases of the moon?

A moon that is completely dark because it's unlit side is facing Earth

• New Moon
• Gibbous
• Crescent
• Waning Third Quarter

Answer explanation

Jupiter is a gas giant made primarily of hydrogen and helium. Unlike terrestrial planets that have solid surfaces, gas giants like Jupiter don't have a well-defined solid surface, allowing them to accumulate more mass in a gaseous form. This composition has allowed Jupiter to grow significantly larger than planets with solid surfaces.

When right side of moon is less than half lit and becoming more visible:

• Waxing Crescent
• Waxing
• Gibbous
• Waning Crescent

When the right side of the moon is half lit

• Waxing First Quarter
• Waning
• Rotation
• The suns reflection

Slightly dark on the left side, mostly lit on the right.

• Waxing Gibbous
• New Moon
• Revolution
• Right

moon phase when the entire side facing Earth is illuminated.

• Full Moon
• Waxing Crescent
• Crescent
• Left

Slightly dark on the right side, mostly lit on the left.

• Waning Gibbous
• Waxing First Quarter
• Gibbous
• Crescent

When the left side of the moon is half lit

• Waning Third Quarter
• Waxing Gibbous
• Waxing
• Gibbous

Moon phase in which less than half of the moon is lit up on the left side.

• Waning Crescent
• Full Moon
• Waning
• Rotation

What illuminates the Moon?

• The suns reflection
• Waning Gibbous
• New Moon
• Revolution