Moon Phases

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are the different shapes the moon appears to take as it orbits the Earth, including New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the phase of the moon when it is not visible from Earth because it is positioned between the Earth and the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated by the Sun and appears as a complete circle in the sky.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What does Waxing mean in relation to the moon?

Back

Waxing refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is increasing, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What does Waning mean in relation to the moon?

Back

Waning refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is decreasing, moving from Full Moon to New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is the phase when half of the moon is illuminated and appears as a half-circle, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Third Quarter Moon?

Back

A Third Quarter Moon, also known as Last Quarter, is the phase when the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about three weeks after the New Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase just after the New Moon when a small sliver of the moon becomes visible, increasing in size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase just before the New Moon when a small sliver of the moon is visible, decreasing in size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Gibbous Moon is a phase when more than half of the moon is illuminated but it is not yet a Full Moon; it can be either Waxing Gibbous or Waning Gibbous.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1