Moon Phases 4th Grade

Front

What is the Last Quarter moon phase?

Back

The Last Quarter moon phase is when half of the moon is illuminated and appears as a half-circle. It occurs after the Full Moon.

Front

What causes the moon's phases?

Back

The moon's phases are caused by the amount of sunlight reflected onto the moon from the sun, as the moon orbits the Earth.

Front

What are the changes in the moon's appearance called?

Back

The changes in the moon's appearance are called phases.

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from the Earth, making it invisible.

Front

What is the Waning Crescent moon phase?

Back

The Waning Crescent moon phase is when less than half of the moon is illuminated and is decreasing in size, appearing as a thin crescent.

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The Full Moon phase occurs when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, making it appear fully round.

Front

What is the Waxing Gibbous moon phase?

Back

The Waxing Gibbous moon phase is when more than half of the moon is illuminated and is increasing in size, leading up to the Full Moon.

Front

What is the First Quarter moon phase?

Back

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

Front

What is the Waxing Crescent moon phase?

Back

The Waxing Crescent moon phase is when a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and is increasing in size, occurring after the New Moon.

Front

What is the difference between waxing and waning?

Back

Waxing means the moon is getting larger (increasing illumination), while waning means the moon is getting smaller (decreasing illumination).