earths moon

Earth’s MoonEarth’s Moon

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html#

Motions of the MoonMotions of the Moon

RotationRotation: Rotates on its axis: Rotates on its axisRevolutionRevolution: Revolves around the earth : Revolves around the earth

every 27.3 daysevery 27.3 days

The moon rotates and revolves at the The moon rotates and revolves at the samesame rate. rate.That means, the same side is always facing That means, the same side is always facing

the earth. the earth.

Phases of the MoonPhases of the MoonThe moon shines by reflecting light from The moon shines by reflecting light from

the sun. the sun. The moon is like a mirror. It reflects the light The moon is like a mirror. It reflects the light

from the sun onto earth at nightfrom the sun onto earth at night

Phases of the MoonPhases of the Moon

When that light is not able to reach the moon, When that light is not able to reach the moon, it becomes dark which we call the phases. it becomes dark which we call the phases.

There are 8 phases.There are 8 phases.Each phase depends on how much light you can Each phase depends on how much light you can

see. see.

Moon PhasesMoon Phases

Moon PhasesMoon Phases

Two Phases of the MoonTwo Phases of the Moon

Waxing PhaseWaxing Phase: From new moon to full : From new moon to full moon. moon. Basically, Basically, moremore of the moon becomes visible. of the moon becomes visible.

Waning PhaseWaning Phase: From full moon to new : From full moon to new moon moon Basically, Basically, lessless of the moon is visible. of the moon is visible.

Wax on, Wax offWax on, Wax offMr. Miagi & the Karate KidMr. Miagi & the Karate Kid

Wax OnWax OnLeft HandLeft HandWaxing Moon Phase, (getting bigger)Waxing Moon Phase, (getting bigger)

Wax OffWax OffRight HandRight HandWaning Moon Phase (getting smaller)Waning Moon Phase (getting smaller)

Moon PhasesMoon Phases

Crescent MoonCrescent Moon: we see only a sliver of : we see only a sliver of the moon.the moon.

Half (quarter) MoonHalf (quarter) Moon: we can see one half : we can see one half of the moon.of the moon.

Gibbous MoonGibbous Moon: we see roughly ¾ of the : we see roughly ¾ of the moon.moon.

Moon PhasesMoon Phases

Full MoonFull Moon: we see all of the moon. All of : we see all of the moon. All of the moon is lit.the moon is lit.

New MoonNew Moon: we don’t see any part of the : we don’t see any part of the moon.moon.

Here are the Phases in Order!Here are the Phases in Order!

New MoonNew Moon

The lighted side of the Moon faces away The lighted side of the Moon faces away from the Earth.  from the Earth. 

The Sun, Earth, and Moon are almost in a The Sun, Earth, and Moon are almost in a straight line, straight line, Moon in the middleMoon in the middle

The Moon that we see looks very dark.The Moon that we see looks very dark.

New MoonNew Moon

Waxing Crescent MoonWaxing Crescent Moon

The right side of The right side of the Moon appears the Moon appears lighted and the left lighted and the left ¾ side of the Moon ¾ side of the Moon appears dark.appears dark.

First Quarter MoonFirst Quarter MoonWaxing quarter moonWaxing quarter moon

The right half of the The right half of the Moon appears Moon appears lighted and the left lighted and the left side of the Moon side of the Moon appears dark.appears dark.

Waxing Gibbous MoonWaxing Gibbous Moon

The right ¾ of The right ¾ of the Moon the Moon appears lighted appears lighted and the left ¼ and the left ¼ side of the side of the Moon appears Moon appears dark.dark.

Full MoonFull Moon

The lighted side of the Moon faces the The lighted side of the Moon faces the Earth.  Earth. 

This means that the Earth, Sun, and Moon This means that the Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight line.are nearly in a straight line.Earth in the middle.  Earth in the middle. 

The Moon that we see is very bright from The Moon that we see is very bright from the sunlight reflecting off it.the sunlight reflecting off it.

Full MoonFull Moon

Waning Gibbous MoonWaning Gibbous Moon

The left ¾ of the The left ¾ of the Moon appears Moon appears lighted, and the lighted, and the right ¼ side of the right ¼ side of the Moon appears Moon appears dark. dark. 

Third (last) Quarter MoonThird (last) Quarter MoonWaning Third Quarter MoonWaning Third Quarter Moon

The left half of The left half of the Moon the Moon appears lighted, appears lighted, and the right and the right side of the side of the Moon appears Moon appears dark. dark. 

Waning Crescent MoonWaning Crescent Moon

The left crescent The left crescent of the Moon of the Moon appears lighted, appears lighted, and the right ¾ and the right ¾ side of the Moon side of the Moon appears dark. appears dark. 

Full Moon – Don’t Write Down!!Full Moon – Don’t Write Down!!

Blue Moon – Don’t Write Down!Blue Moon – Don’t Write Down!

Blue Moon: When two full moons occure in Blue Moon: When two full moons occure in a single month, the second full moon is a single month, the second full moon is called a “Blue Moon”. Another definition of called a “Blue Moon”. Another definition of the blue moon is the third full moon that the blue moon is the third full moon that occurs in a season of the year which has occurs in a season of the year which has four full moons (usually each season has four full moons (usually each season has only three full moons).only three full moons).