The Phases of the MoonThe Phases of the Moon

Different Faces in the NightDifferent Faces in the Night

Half of the Moon is always lit up by the Half of the Moon is always lit up by the sun. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we sun. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different parts of the lighted area.see different parts of the lighted area.

The revolution of the Moon around the The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon look as if it is Earth makes the Moon look as if it is

changing shape in the sky. changing shape in the sky. 

This is caused by the This is caused by the different angles different angles

from which we see from which we see the lighted part of the lighted part of

the Moon's the Moon's surface.  These are surface.  These are called "called "phasesphases " of " of

the Moon. the Moon. 

The Moon passes through four major The Moon passes through four major shapes during a cycle that repeats itself shapes during a cycle that repeats itself

every 29.5 days.  The phases always every 29.5 days.  The phases always follow one another in the same order:follow one another in the same order:

New moonNew moonFirst quarterFirst quarterThird quarterThird quarter

Full moonFull moon

New MoonNew MoonThe lighted side of the The lighted side of the Moon faces away from Moon faces away from the Earth.  This means the Earth.  This means

that the Sun, Earth, that the Sun, Earth, and Moon are almost in and Moon are almost in a straight line, with the a straight line, with the Moon in between the Moon in between the Sun and the Earth.  Sun and the Earth. 

The Moon that we see The Moon that we see looks very dark.looks very dark.

First Quarter MoonFirst Quarter MoonThe right half of the Moon The right half of the Moon appears lighted and the left appears lighted and the left side of the Moon appears side of the Moon appears

dark.  During the time dark.  During the time between the New Moon and between the New Moon and the First Quarter Moon, the the First Quarter Moon, the

part of the Moon that part of the Moon that appears lighted gets larger appears lighted gets larger and larger every day, and and larger every day, and

will continue to grow until the will continue to grow until the Full Moon.Full Moon.

Third (Last) Quarter Third (Last) Quarter MoonMoon

The left half of the Moon The left half of the Moon appears lighted, and the appears lighted, and the right side of the Moon right side of the Moon appears dark.  During the appears dark.  During the time between the Full time between the Full Moon and the Last Moon and the Last Quarter Moon, the part of Quarter Moon, the part of the Moon that appears the Moon that appears lighted gets smaller and lighted gets smaller and smaller every day. smaller every day.

Full MoonFull MoonThe lighted side of the The lighted side of the Moon faces the Earth.  Moon faces the Earth. 

This means that the This means that the Earth, Sun, and Moon Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight are nearly in a straight

line, with the Earth in the line, with the Earth in the middle.  The Moon that middle.  The Moon that we see is very bright we see is very bright

from the sunlight from the sunlight reflecting off it.reflecting off it.

There are also four other There are also four other phases of the Moon phases of the Moon

sometimes used.sometimes used.

Waxing Crescent MoonWaxing Crescent Moon

This Moon can be seen This Moon can be seen after the New Moon, after the New Moon, but before the First but before the First Quarter Moon.  The Quarter Moon.  The crescent will grow crescent will grow larger and larger larger and larger

every day, until the every day, until the Moon looks like the Moon looks like the First Quarter Moon. First Quarter Moon.

Waxing Gibbous MoonWaxing Gibbous Moon

This Moon can be This Moon can be seen after the First seen after the First Quarter Moon, but Quarter Moon, but

before the Full before the Full Moon.  The amount Moon.  The amount of the Moon that we of the Moon that we

can see will grow can see will grow larger and larger larger and larger

every day. every day. 

Waning Gibbous MoonWaning Gibbous Moon

This Moon can be This Moon can be seen after the Full seen after the Full

Moon, but before the Moon, but before the Last Quarter Moon.  Last Quarter Moon.  The amount of the The amount of the Moon that we can Moon that we can

see will grow smaller see will grow smaller and smaller every and smaller every

day. day.

Waning Crescent MoonWaning Crescent Moon

This Moon can be seen This Moon can be seen after the Last Quarter after the Last Quarter Moon and before the Moon and before the

New Moon.  The New Moon.  The crescent will grow crescent will grow

smaller and smaller smaller and smaller every day, until the every day, until the Moon looks like the Moon looks like the

New Moon. New Moon.

In between each of the

quarter phases are other distinct phases.

Waxing means to

grow

Gibbous means to be

humpbacked

Waning means to

decrease