Phases of the Moon

The moon rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun.  It always follows the earth in its trip around the sun.  The moon has same length of time for its rotation and revolution.  It takes the moon about 28 days to rotate on its axis and revolve around the earth.  This happens because during each revolution, the moon rotates only once.  As a result, the same side of the moon faces the earth all the time.

New Moon

This is the phase where the moon is exactly between the earth and the sun.  Since the dark side of the earth faces away from the sun during nighttime, we cannot see the new moon in the night sky.

Waxing Crescent Moon

In this phase, a thin, comb-like moon is seen.

First-Quarter Moon

Only one-half of the lighted side of the moon can be seen.  The moon has covered one-forth of its way around the earth.

Waxing Gibbous

When the moon appears larger than a half moon but smaller than a full moon, it is called gibbous.  The waxing gibbous occurs before full moon.

Full Moon

The lighted side of the moon is seen. At this point, the moon is already half-way through in its orbit.  The earth is exactly between the sun and the moon.  The moon is farthest from the sun.

Waning Gibbous

After the full moon, the moon becomes smaller and is again gibbous.

Last-Quarter Moon

Only one half of the moon’s lighted part is seen.  The moon has reached three-fourths of its orbit.

Waning Crescent

Then only a thin slice of the moon is seen.  It looks like a small piece of leftover watermelon.

Tags: different moon, different phases of the moon, moon, moon phases, phases of moon, phases of the moon, the phases of moon

Category: Earth Science