Phases of the moon

Phases of the Moon Study Guide

The moon goes through a series of phases each month as it orbits the Earth. Here are the main phases of the moon:

  1. New Moon:

    • The moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, making it invisible from Earth.

  2. Waxing Crescent:

    • A small sliver of the moon begins to show, gradually increasing in visibility.

  3. First Quarter:

    • Half of the moon is illuminated. The right side is lit in the northern hemisphere.

  4. Waxing Gibbous:

    • More than half of the moon is illuminated as it approaches a full moon.

  5. Full Moon:

    • The entire face of the moon is illuminated, making it fully visible.

  6. Waning Gibbous:

    • The illumination starts to decrease from the full moon.

  7. Last Quarter:

    • Similar to the first quarter, but the left side is now illuminated.

  8. Waning Crescent:

    • A small sliver remains visible as the moon approaches the new phase.

Additional Information:

  • The cycle from one new moon to the next takes approximately 29.5 days (synodic month).

  • The moon’s phases are caused by the changing angles of sunlight on the moon as viewed from Earth.