Phases of the Moon

Gibbous

A large amount of the moon is lit. These happen directly before and directly after a full moon. Gibbous means - more than 1/2 is lit. Occurs when waxing and waning.

Phases

Caused by changes in the positions of the Earth, sun & moon. The part of the moon we see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth.

Full moon

Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and all of the sunlit part of the Moon can be seen from Earth. Occurs 1/2 way in the lunar cycle. About day 14. A major phase

How does the moon shine?

Light from the sun is reflected by the Moon's surface. The moon has no light of its own. It reflects the sun's light. At any time, half of the Earth and half of the moon are lit by the sun. The other half is in shadow!

Waxing Crescent

Light growing from the right.

Waning Crescent

Light is draining. Almost fully dark.

Side of the Moon we look at to determine what phase it is in?

Look at the RIGHT side of the moon ALWAYS.

Waxing

Moon appears to be gaining light; when the moon moves from the NEW phase to the FULL phase. Light is "gaining". Wax ON.

Waning

Moon appears to be losing light; when the moon moves from the FULL phase to the NEW phase. Light is "draining"

New moon

Moon phase that occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, at which point the Moon cannot be seen because its lighted half is facing the Sun and its dark side faces Earth. Begins a new lunar cycle. About day 0 or 29 A major phase

Waxing Gibbous

More than 1/2 of the moon is lit. Almost fully bright. Light coming from the RIGHT.

Waning Gibbous

More than 1/2 of the moon is lit. Dark is moving in from the RIGHT.

Quarter moon

Occur between gibbous and crescent moons. Approximately half of the moon appears to be lit during this phase. 1st and 3rd quarters About day 7 or 21 A major phase

Crescent

Only a small amount of the moon is lit. These happen directly before and directly after a new moon. Occurs when waxing and waning.

Month

The approximate amount of time it takes the moon to orbit the Earth, about 29 days.

Near side of the Moon

The side of the moon that always faces the earth.