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Moon phases
The phases of the Moon are caused by the different angles at which we see the Moon as it orbits Earth and revolves around it. As it revolves, sometimes the illuminated half faces Earth, appearing as a full Moon, and other times none of the illuminated half can be seen from Earth, appearing as a new Moon. There are eight phases in total that the Moon cycles through - from new to waxing crescent to first quarter to waxing gibbous to full to waning gibbous to last quarter to waning crescent and back to new again.
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Moon phases
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- 3. Half of theMoon is always lit up by the sun. As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different parts of the lighted area. http://www.nasm.si.edu/apollo30th/moontheater/phasepage2.html
- 4. The revolution ofthe Moon around the Earth makes the Moon look as if it is changing shape in the sky. http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/birthdayphases.htm
- 5. Phases of the Moon Itis caused by the different angles from which we see the lighted part of the Moon's surface. http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/birthdayphases.htm
- 7. 1. New Moon •The Moon's not illuminated side is facing the Earth. • The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse).
- 8. 2. Waxing Crescent •The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. • The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.
- 9. 3. First Quarter •One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. • The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.
- 10. 4. Waxing Gibbous •The Moon appears to be more than onehalf but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. • The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.
- 11. 5. Full Moon •The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth. • The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight
- 12. 6. Waning Gibbous •The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. • The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.
- 13. 7. Last Quarter •One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. • The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.
- 14. 8. Waning Crescent •The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. • The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.
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