The Phases of the Moon
Have you ever looked up at the sky and noticed how the Moon changes shape each night? Ever wondered why these phases of the Moon happen… And how?
Well, here’s the answer – it doesn’t ‘change shape’ at all! Let’s take a look at the phases of the Moon…
Phases of the Moon
The Moon doesn’t emit (give off) light itself, the ‘moonlight’ we see is actually the Sun’s light reflected off the lunar surface.
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. In actual fact, it’s just our view of it that’s altering…
Zoom in for a closer look!
Changing faces
The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite (a celestial body that orbits a planet). 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.
Zoom in for a closer look!
Did you know we have a FREE downloadable Phases of the Moon primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!
When the Moon appears to be getting bigger, it’s ‘waxing’ and when it looks like it’s getting smaller, it’s ‘waning’. Once the face of the Moon is fully turned towards the Sun, it’s a Full Moon, and we see it all. 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. Cosmic!
Did you enjoy our phases of the Moon feature? Be sure to check out our ten top facts about the Moon, too!
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COMMENTS1
CrazyCute89
Wow!This is very cool!
James
omg this is cool
hi
cool
sky rose robledo
So Scientific
Aditi
Cool
GERRY
I LOVE THE FACTS
Awesome
alex
nice!
Chay
Cool!!
Limo
That's awesome! I have a physics test coming up and I'm glad I found this for a great explanation!
JJ
Cool
PeytonB15837
WOW
Lois
This is a good app
HELLO
I LOVE THIS I CAN USE THIS FOR MY EXPLANATION TEXT
none
hi
Cool!
Max
Cool!
Enzo
I have no name
yay
ToxicToxic90
cool
Crystabell
WOW
Lorenzo
I have learnt about the moon soooooooo!!!!!! much i cant believe how much i learnt. :)
Best holiday activity ideas to do at home - Learning Resources UK
[…] Keep an eye on the phases of the moon. […]
I cant believe you've done this!
Emma
I like how you added “cosmic” to it. Another thing I like is that you added sintific words like waning and waxing!
hi
Cool
Amazing
Ok
Sasha
Amazing
Baby
It super good
Poop
It very bad
I’m a potato! >:3
Nice website
Jackideyjackjack
Moon
Nice my school is using this website to teach.
Kaelan
Cool
NatiusRocks
Nice
Xavier
That’s cool
Sari
I love these facts
Ma'keila
Nice Moon Phases
CUSTOMIZE YOUR AVATAR