Phases of the MoonPhases of the Moon

By: Nicole KardosBy: Nicole Kardos

A Relationship between A Relationship between the position of:the position of:

The SunThe SunThe EarthThe Earth andand

The MoonThe Moon

What causes the moon to go What causes the moon to go through phases?through phases?

Statistically speaking….Statistically speaking…. The Sun always shines on the The Sun always shines on the

Earth and the MoonEarth and the Moon The cycle of Moon phases The cycle of Moon phases

occurs every 29.53 daysoccurs every 29.53 days ½ of the Moon is always ½ of the Moon is always

lighted by the sun,lighted by the sun, ½ is always in darkness½ is always in darkness

This side is lighted

This side is dark

The phase we see depends on The phase we see depends on where the moon is in its orbit where the moon is in its orbit around the Earth and how around the Earth and how much of the lighted side we much of the lighted side we can see.can see.

The Moon revolves counterclockwise The Moon revolves counterclockwise around the Earth….. around the Earth…..

As the Moon revolves around the As the Moon revolves around the Earth we see different amounts of Earth we see different amounts of the lighted side of the Moon….. the lighted side of the Moon…..

8 Recognized Moon Phases8 Recognized Moon Phases

1. New Moon1. New Moon2. Waxing Crescent2. Waxing Crescent3. 13. 1stst Quarter Quarter4. Waxing Gibbous4. Waxing Gibbous5. Full5. Full

6. Waning Gibbous6. Waning Gibbous7. 37. 3rdrd or Last Quarter or Last Quarter8. Waning Crescent8. Waning Crescent

Recognized Phases

Phase:Phase: New MoonNew MoonWaxing CrescentWaxing Crescent11stst Quarter QuarterWaxing GibbousWaxing GibbousFull MoonFull MoonWaning GibbousWaning GibbousLast QuarterLast QuarterWaning CrescentWaning CrescentBack To New MoonBack To New Moon

Common misconceptions….Common misconceptions…. The phases are not caused by the shadow of the Earth falling on the The phases are not caused by the shadow of the Earth falling on the

moon…. This only happens during a lunar eclipse.moon…. This only happens during a lunar eclipse. The Moon doesn’t produce its own light, we see the light reflected The Moon doesn’t produce its own light, we see the light reflected

from the Sun bouncing off the Moon.from the Sun bouncing off the Moon. The same side of the moon always faces the Earth, we never get to The same side of the moon always faces the Earth, we never get to

see the far side of the moon.see the far side of the moon. The Moon doesn’t only appear at night, we often see the Moon The Moon doesn’t only appear at night, we often see the Moon

during the daytime.during the daytime. Phases are not restricted to the Moon, Venus and Mercury also Phases are not restricted to the Moon, Venus and Mercury also

appear to have phases when observed from the Earth.appear to have phases when observed from the Earth. The moon requires 27.3 days to orbit and 29.53 days to go thru its The moon requires 27.3 days to orbit and 29.53 days to go thru its

complete phase cycle.complete phase cycle.

The table gives a summary of approximately when the Moon is visible and where to look. There are times during the moon's monthly cycle that the Moon is sometimes visible in broad daylight!

PhaseAhead or Behind the

Sun

Rise Time in East

Mid-Point In Sky

Set Time In West

NewWithin few

minutesSunrise Noon Sunset

1st Qtr. 6 hrs behind Noon Sunset Midnight

Full 12 hrs behind Sunset Midnight Sunrise

3rd Qtr. 6 hrs ahead Midnight Sunrise Noon

Moon VisibilityMoon Visibility

The following websites were used to obtain The following websites were used to obtain graphics and information for this presentation:graphics and information for this presentation:

tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.htmltycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/java/MoonPhase.htmlastro.wisc.edu/~dolan/java/MoonPhase.html enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Phases.shtmlenchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Phases.shtml ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/phases.htmlac.wwu.edu/~stephan/phases.html astro.umd.edu/education/astro/moon/phases.htmlastro.umd.edu/education/astro/moon/phases.html co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/astronomical.shtmlco-ops.nos.noaa.gov/astronomical.shtml home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/ nasa.gov/home/index.htmlnasa.gov/home/index.html home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonphase/home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonphase/ mrescience.com/mrescience.com/

The End……The End……