2. The moon does not actually produce its own light
It reflects light from the sun
The Moon
3. • Moon phases are the portion of the lit moon as seen from
Earth.
• Moon phases are caused by the Sun, Earth, and Moon being
in different positions relative to each other.
• As we look out from Earth, we can only see certain parts of
the lit moon.
• SHADE IN THE SHADE!
What are moon phases and what causes them?
New
Moon
Waxing
Crescent
First
Quarter
Waxing
Gibbous
Full
Moon
Waning
Gibbous
Third
Quarter
Waning
Crescent
New
Moon
~ 1 week ~ 1 week ~ 1 week ~ 1 week
Waxing Period
Light “creeps” across Moon from
Right to Left
Waning Period
Darkness “creeps” across Moon
from Right to Left
12. Waxing means to grow in light
• This means that the lit part of the moon is getting bigger.
• It wants to ultimately become a full moon.
• Example: Waxing Crescent, 1st Quarter, Waxing Gibbous
Waning means to decline in light
• This means that the lit part of the moon is getting smaller
• It wants to ultimately become a new moon.
• Example: Waning Crescent, 3rd Quarter, Waning Gibbous
Waxing vs.Waning Moon
13. Sometimes, there are 2 full moons in the same month.
But that only happens “once in a blue moon”
- Moon phase = Full Moon
- Average length of month = 30 days – our calendar does
not follow the lunar cycle, but there are some calendars
in other cultures that do!
- Sometimes we have two new moons…the lunar cycle
begins itself again at the end of the month.
Blue Moon
14. This picture was taken by my
phone. My daughter and I were
on the playground. She looked up
and said...Hey daddy, there is the
moon and its not night-time. It
was a summer afternoon a little
after 12 noon.
What phase is the moon in?
Why can we see the moon at
noon?
The Moon at Noon
