![]() But, as the Moon moves around the Earth, the face pointing towards us gradually becomes hidden from the Sun until we can hardly see it at all – this is a New Moon. During this phase, the lit side of the Moon is completely facing away from Earth. The Short Answer: What are the different types of full moons A full moon occurs when the side of the Moon facing Earth is fully lit up by the Sun. First, we have the new moon, which happens when the Moon is closest to the sun in its orbit. Let's take a closer look at the Moon's phases. Once the face of the Moon is fully turned towards the Sun, it’s a Full Moon, and we see it all. This causes the Moon to appear to have different shapes, or faces in the sky, depending on the time of the month. What are the 8 phases of The Moon New moon Waxing crescent moon First-quarter moon Waxing gibbous moon Full moon Waning gibbous moon Third-quarter moon. ![]() When the Moon appears to be getting bigger, it’s ‘ waxing’ and when it looks like it’s getting smaller, it’s ‘ waning’. It takes the Moon 27.3 days to make a complete orbit around the Earth, but because the Earth is moving around the sun at the same time, it takes the moon 29.5 days to go through its eight different ‘phases’ – a lunar month.ĭid you know we have a FREE downloadable Phases of the Moon primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike! The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite (a celestial body that orbits a planet). ![]() In actual fact, it’s just our view of it that’s altering… So, as the Moon orbits the Earth, the Sun lights up different parts of it, making it seem as if the Moon is changing shape. The Moon doesn’t emit (give off) light itself, the ‘ moonlight’ we see is actually the Sun’s light reflected off the lunar surface. Over the course of a month, the appearance of the Moon undergoes regular changes, the so-called lunar phases. Well, here’s the answer – it doesn’t ‘change shape’ at all! Let’s take a look at the phases of the Moon… Full Moon: When students move their moon so it is directly opposite the sun, as viewed from Earth (the student), the half seen from Earth is fully illuminated. When you cannot see the moon at all, this phase is called a new moon. Waxing Gibbous Moon: As students continue to turn, they see more and more illuminated surface. Have you ever looked up at the sky and noticed how the Moon changes shape each night? Ever wondered why… And how? The illuminated shape of the moon that is visible from Earth is called a phase.
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