The document explains the phases of the moon, detailing how they are caused by the relative positions of the Earth, moon, and sun, and cycle every 29.5 days. It outlines each phase, beginning with the new moon and progressing through waxing and waning phases to the full moon. A concise overview of the visual changes and terminology associated with each phase is provided.

1. UNDERSTANDING
THE PHASES OF
THE MOON
A journey through lunar illumination!

2. Introduction
● If you look at the sky, you will notice that
the moon changes its shape every night.
● These different views are known as phases
of the moon.

3. The following
phases are
explained in the
next slides.

4. What causes moon phases?
● The key factor is the relative positions of
the Earth, Moon, and Sun. As the moon
orbits the Earth, varying amounts of its
illuminated side become visible from our
perspective.
● The phases go on in a repeated process
for about 29.5 days.

5. New Moon
● During this phase, the Moon is positioned
between the Earth and the Sun. The side
facing the Earth is in shadow, making the
moon appear completely dark.
● It marks the start of the lunar cycle,

6. Waxing Crescent
● Following the New Moon, we enter the
Waxing Crescent phase.
● A small, illuminated crescent becomes
visible. This phase is visible in the western
sky shortly after sunset.
● The crescent appears in the shape of an
inverted ‘C’

7. First Quarter
● As we progress, we reach the First Quarter.
● Half of the moon is now illuminated and
visible from Earth. It's called the First
Quarter because it's one-quarter of the
way through the lunar cycle.
● It is also known as Half – Moon.

8. Waxing Gibbous
● After the First Quarter, we encounter the
Waxing Gibbous phase.
● More than half of the moon is illuminated,
and it continues to grow towards fullness.
● The word ‘Gibbous’ originates from the
Latin word which means Hump

9. Full Moon
● After the waxing stage we approach the
full moon.
● In this stage the moon is fully illuminated
and can be clearly seen.
● In this stage, sometimes there is a rare
chance of a lunar eclipse occurring.(It
happens when all the sun, moon and earth
are in a straight line.

10. Waning Gibbous
● Post-Full Moon, we enter the Waning
Gibbous phase.
● The illuminated portion starts decreasing,
but the moon is still more than half-lit.
● It is quite opposite to Waxing gibbous and
the illumination is done on the other 3/4th
part of the moon.

11. Third Quarter
● Continuing our journey, we reach the Last
Quarter.
● Half of the moon is illuminated, but on the
opposite side from the First Quarter. It
signifies three-quarters of the lunar cycle
completed.

12. Waning Crescent
● Finally, we approach the Waning Crescent.
● A small, decreasing crescent becomes
visible in the eastern sky before sunrise,
leading us back to the New Moon.
● Unlike the Waxing Crescent stage this one
looks like an upright ‘C’. (After this phase
the cycle restarts with new moon.)

13. THANK YOU!!!
A power point presentation by : - Vemula Sri
Chethan