Moon Phases

General Facts about the Moon

• The moon reflects light from the sun.
• The moon does not change shape we see it lit
up by the sun in different ways.
• We always see the same side of the moon.
 New Moon

• The moon is fully

shaded so it is invisible
to us.
• Occurs when the moon
lies between the earth
and sun.
 Waxing Crescent Moon
• There is a small sliver
of light being reflected.
• The sunlight is
increasing, but is still
less than half.
 First Quarter Moon
• We see that the moon
is half lit.
• Occurs one week after
the new moon.
• Rises at sunset.
 Waxing Gibbous Moon
• Three quarters of the
right side of the moon
is lit.
• Occurs between one
and two weeks of the
new moon.
 Full Moon

• The moon is on the

opposite side of the
earth from the sun.
• It is fully illuminated
and is round.
 Waning Gibbous Moon
• Three quarters of the
left side of the moon is
lit up.
• Occurs a few days after
the full moon.
• Sails over the eastern
horizon
 Third Quarter Moon
• Also called the Last
Quarter Moon.
• The left side is lit up.
• The amount of light
decreases into the next
phase.
 Waning Crescent Moon
• Can usually be seen in
the east before dawn.
• It is lit up all day, it is
just hard for us to see
it.
• The crescent keeps on
getting smaller.