The Moon appears to change shape daily as it orbits Earth and the illuminated side facing Earth varies. These changing shapes are called phases of the Moon, ranging from a thin crescent to a full Moon. The phases - new, crescent, half, gibbous, and full - refer to the portion of the Moon's face that is illuminated by the Sun's light and visible from Earth, with the waxing phase showing the illuminated area growing larger each night and the waning phase showing it shrinking smaller again.

1. Phases of the Moon

2. The Moon
Phases of
the Moon
The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth. It is one of the brightest
objects in the sky after the Sun. But the Moon has no light of its own and
reflects the light of the Sun.

3. Phases of the Moon
Phases of
the Moon
As seen from the Earth, the Moon appears to change its shape every day. This is
because we see only that part of the moon which reflects the light of the sun.

4. Phases of the Moon
Phases of
the Moon
The side of the moon facing us receives varying amount of sunlight as it is
continuously moving around the earth. Its shape varies from a thin crescent
to a full moon. The different shapes of the moon are called phases of the moon.

5. New Moon
Phases of
the Moon
When the side of the moon facing the earth does not receive any sunlight
and we cannot see the moon, then it is called a new moon.

6. Crescent Moon
Phases of
the Moon
When only a small portion of the facing side of the moon get sunlight
and becomes visible to us, we call it crescent moon.

7. Half Moon
Phases of
the Moon
When half portion of the facing side of the moon becomes illuminated,
we call it half moon.

8. Gibbous Moon
Phases of
the Moon
When almost three-fourth of the facing side of the moon receives sunlight,
it is called gibbous moon.

9. Full Moon
Phases of
the Moon
When the entire side of the Moon facing the earth is illuminated,
we call it full moon.

10. Waxing Phase
of the Moon
Phases of
the Moon
The crescent, half, gibbous and the full moon stages together are known
as waxing phase of the moon.

11. Waning Phase
of the Moon
Phases of
the Moon
After this, the cycle reverses and the size of the illuminated facing side of the moon
starts reducing. These stages are collectively referred to as waning phase of the moon.

13. This presentation is a result of my experiences while I was
helping out my son with his school assignments and project
work. I am happy to share this with other students and their
parents. Hope you find this informative and useful. Thank you.
- Prashant Mahajan -
All pictures belong to their original authors, photographers.