This graphic shows all eight moon phases we see as the Moon makes a complete orbit of Earth about every four weeks. These changes in the Moons appearance from our view on Earth are called moon phases. 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. As the Moon travels around Earth, different parts of it are lit up by the Sun. Once the face of the Moon is fully turned towards the Sun, it’s a Full Moon, and we see it all. 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. Specify the year, the number of phases, and the data format in the form below. Well, here’s the answer – it doesn’t ‘change shape’ at all! Let’s take a look at the phases of the Moon… As the Moon makes its way around the Earth, we see the bright parts of the Moons surface at different angles. Have you ever looked up at the sky and noticed how the Moon changes shape each night? Ever wondered why… And how?
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