Phases of the Moon

Why we see What we see When we see it!

There is a METHOD to the MADNESS!

SPI and Objective

• S2005(6) 9. Identify the moon's phases.

• Objective: Identify all 8 phases of the moon.

Moon Facts• The moon is not stationary! It revolves around

the Earth.

• The moon orbits around our planet.

• Light from the moon is a reflection of light from the Sun.

Our Month• It takes the moon approximately

29 days to orbit the Earth.

• That’s about

one Earth MONTH

(a lunar month!)

The Moon’s Phases

• There are 8 phases of the moon.

• Each phase lasts for 3-4 days

The basic phases: New moon

When it happens: Beginning of the Lunar month. (Day 1-2)What we see: We see the unlit side of the moon.

What it looks like: New Moon

Look from Earth

The basic phases: Full Moon

When we see it: Middle of the Month (day 14-15)What we see: We see the lit side of the moon

What it looks like: Full moon

Look from Earth

Quarter Moon

• We see half of the moon lit.

• Quarter moon occurs halfway between New Moon and Full moon

• We call the quarter moons First Quarter and 3rd/Last Quarter.

First Quarter

Look from Earth

Last Quarter

Look from Earth

What it looks like

Mini Quiz• ____ New Moon ____ Full Moon

A. B.

Professor Quizmo• A. New Moon• B. Full Moon

__Which phase occurs in the middle of a month?

__Which phase occurs in the beginning of a month?

__When we see the unlit portion of the moon.

__ When the whole moon is illuminated.

Let’s See What U HaveLearned

The Phases In Between• The phases in between are named by how

much light they have and their shape.

The Waxing Phases• Waxing means “Growing.” (Light on Right)

• From Day 1 to Day 15 the moon appears to be growing.

• Waxing Crescent

• Waxing Quarter (Half)

• Waxing Gibbous

New Moon to Full Moon• Beginning of Month to the Middle of Month

– Day 1-15

Mini Quiz____ Waxing Crescent

____ 1st Quarter (Half)

____ Waxing Gibbous

A. B. C.

Professor QuizmoThe word “Waxing” means __________.

The next phase after the new moon is called __________ ___________.

The phase just before the full moon is called the ___________ ___________.

The Waning Phases• Waning means “Shrinking.”• From Day 15 to Day 29 the moon appears

to be shrinking.

• Waning Gibbous

• Waning 3rd Quarter

• Waning Crescent

Full Moon to New Moon

•From Middle of Month to the Beginning of New Month• Day 16-Day 29

Mini Quiz____ Waning Crescent

____ Waning 3rd Quarter (Half)

____ Waning Gibbous

A. B. C.

Professor QuizmoThe word “Waning” means __________.

The next phase after the full moon is called __________ ___________.

The phase just before the new moon is called the ___________ ___________.

Contrast: Waxing & Waning

WaxingWaning

Lit on RightSide of Moon

Lit on the LeftSide of Moon

The Big Picture