Moon Phases and Eclipses

new moon

waxing cresent

waning cresent

last quarter

first quarter

full moon

waning gibbus

waxing gibbus

the light is on the right side of the moon when…

the moon is waxing and in first quarter

the light is on the left side of the moon when…

the moon is waning and in last quarter

The first phase of the moon cycle

new moon

When the moon is in between the sun and earth

new moon

When the moon is behind the earth and fully illuminated (but not in the shadow)

full moon

What causes the phases of the moon?

the moon is always half illuminated (or lit up). We see different phases of the moon because we see the light of the moon at different angles as it orbits around he Earth.

Why don’t we have a solar eclipse every 

How long is each moon cycle? (orbit around earth)

29.5 days

Why don’t we see a solar and lunar eclipse every month?

because the moon’s orbit is tilted. This means the sun, Earth, and moon are not aligned perfectly every month.

To see a full solar eclipse, you would need to be in the moon’s _________________ shadow?

umbral

To see a partial solar eclipse, you would need to be in the moon’s _________________ shadow?

penumbral

umbra

dark part of the shadow

penumbra

lighter part of the shadow

solar eclipse

when the moon blocks sunlight from hitting the earth (casting a shadow on the earth). Happens during new moon phase.

lunar eclipse

when the earth blocks sunlight from hitting the moon (casting a shadow on the moon). Happens during full moon phase.