Moon Phases

Flashcards covering the vocabulary related to the phases and movements of the moon, including definitions of each phase.

Gibbous

The moon is more than half lit

Waxing

Increasing or becoming larger in size

Waning

Gradually getting smaller

Revolve

To move in a circular path around another object

New Moon

A phase of the moon where the moon is between the sun and Earth, and the side facing Earth is dark and not visible.

Waxing Crescent

A phase of the moon where less than half is illuminated, and the visible portion is increasing.

First Quarter

A phase of the moon where the right half of the moon is illuminated, appearing as a half circle.

Waxing Gibbous

A phase of the moon where more than half is illuminated and the visible portion is increasing.

Full Moon

A phase of the moon where the entire face is illuminated and visible from Earth.

Waning Gibbous

A phase of the moon where more than half is illuminated but the visible portion is decreasing.

Third Quarter or Last Quarter

A phase of the moon where half of the moon is illuminated, appearing as a half circle. The left half is illuminated.

Waning Crescent

A phase of the moon where less than half is illuminated, and the visible portion is decreasing.

Reflect

When light waves bounce of a surface. Light from the sun is reflected off of the moon

Illuminate

To light up. The sun illuminates the moon