Moon Phases Flashcard

Front

What is a waxing crescent moon?

Back

A waxing crescent moon is the phase of the moon when it is less than half illuminated and is increasing in illumination, appearing as a thin crescent shape.

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What does a quarter moon look like?

Back

A quarter moon, also known as a half moon, appears as a half-circle in the sky, with one side fully illuminated and the other side dark.

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What is a gibbous moon?

Back

A gibbous moon is a phase where more than half of the moon is illuminated but it is not yet full.

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What is a waxing gibbous moon?

Back

A waxing gibbous moon is the phase when the moon is more than half illuminated and is increasing towards a full moon.

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What is a waning gibbous moon?

Back

A waning gibbous moon is the phase when the moon is more than half illuminated but is decreasing in illumination, moving towards a half moon.

Front

What is a waning crescent moon?

Back

A waning crescent moon is the phase when less than half of the moon is illuminated and is decreasing in illumination, appearing as a thin crescent.

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What causes the moon to appear to change shape?

Back

The moon appears to change shape due to the perspective of the moon from our view on Earth and the varying amounts of sunlight that illuminate its surface.

Front

What is a full moon?

Back

A full moon is the phase when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, appearing as a complete circle.

Front

What is the difference between waxing and waning?

Back

Waxing means the moon is increasing in illumination, while waning means it is decreasing.

Front

What is the first quarter moon?

Back

The first quarter moon is the phase when half of the moon is illuminated and is the first half of the lunar cycle.