what causes the moon phases...the phases of the moon are caused by its orbit around the earth. as...
TRANSCRIPT
Whatcausesmoonphases?
TheportionofthemoonthatwecanseefromEarthonanygivennightiscalledthe
moon’sphase.AsthemoonorbitsaroundtheEarth,sunlightisreflectedoffthe
moon’ssurfaceandthatlightreachesusonEarth.Thephaseofthemoondepends
onwherethemoonisinitsorbit.Ittakesaboutonemonthforthemoontomakea
fullorbitaroundtheEarth,sothephasesofthemoonrepeataboutonceeachmonth.
Themoondoesnotproduceanylightonitsown.Thelightweseecomingfromthe
moonislightreflectedfromthesun.Everymoonandplanetthatisvisibleinour
solarsystemisreflectinglightfromthesun.
Themoonismuchsmallerthanthesunbutappearsthesamesizebecauseitis
closertous.Thesunisactually400timesbiggerthanthemoon.Whenobjectsare
closertoyou,theyappeartobelarger.Youcantrythisathome.Holdaquarterin
yourhandonearm’slengthaway.Askafamilymembertoholdadinnerplateon
theothersideoftheroom.Havethepersonmovecloserorfurtheruntiltheplateis
thesamesizeasthequarterfromyourview.
ThephasesofthemoonarecausedbyitsorbitaroundtheEarth.Asthemoonorbits,
wecanseeadifferentamountofthemoonthatislitbythesunfromourviewon
Earth.Sometimes,themooniscompletelylit,andothertimesitiscompletelydark.
Whenyoucan’tseethemoonatall,thephaseisa“newmoon.”Severaldaysafter,
weseethemoonasasliveroflightcalledacrescentmoon.Asthemoonappears
largerandlarger,itbecomesaquarterandthenagibbousmoon.Afullmoonis
visiblewhenthewholesideofthemoonfacingEarthisilluminatedbythesun.
M.Palopoli
–adapted
from
https://ww
w.generatio
ngenius.co
m/phases-
of-the-
moon-for-
kids/
1 | P a g e
Name ___________________________________________________________________
Identifying Phases of the Moon I
Waxing Crescent – A little part of the moon’s right side is lit.
Full Moon - The moon's entire disk is lit because the Earth is between the sun and the moon.
Waxing Gibbous – About ¾th of the right side moon's disk is lit.
1st Quarter - The right half of the moon's disk is lit.
Waxing – Getting larger.
New Moon - The moon's disk facing us is dark because the moon is between the sun and the Earth.
Last Quarter - The left half of the moon's disk is lit.
Waning Crescent - A little part of the moon’s left side is lit.
Waning Gibbous - About ¾th of the left side moon's disk is lit.
Waning – Getting smaller.
Are Moons 1-4 waxing or waning? Are Moons 5-8 waxing or waning?
2 | P a g e
Identifying the Phases of the Moon II
Waxing Crescent – when we can see only a sliver of the moon's disk (right-hand side).
Full Moon – when the moon's disk is light because the Earth is between the sun and the moon
Waxing Gibbous – when we can see roughly three-quarters of the moon's disk (the right side of the moon is lit).
First Quarter – can see one-half of the moon's disk (at First Quarter, you see the right half of the moon lit [this one-quarter of the entire moon's surface]).
New Moon – when the moon's disk is dark (and invisible to us) because the moon is between the sun and the Earth
Last/3rd Quarter – can see one-half of the moon's disk (at Last/3rd Quarter, you see the left half of the moon lit [this one-quarter of the entire moon's surface]).
Waning Gibbous – when we can see roughly three-quarters of the moon's disk (the left side of the moon is lit).
Waning Crescent – when we can see only a sliver of the moon's disk (left-hand side).
Using the table above, write the phase of the moon shown in the picture.
16 | P a g e
Identifying Phases of the Moon I – Key
Are Moons 1-4 waxing or waning?
Full Moon New Moon
Waning Gibbous
Waxing Crescent
Last/3rd Quarter
First Quarter
Waning Crescent
Waxing Gibbous
Waxing Waning
Are Moons 5-8 waxing or waning?
17 | P a g e
Identifying the Phases of the Moon II - Key
Using the table above, write the phase of the moon shown in the picture.
Waning Gibbous
Waning Crescent
New Moon
First Quarter
Last/3rd Quarter
Full Moon
Waxing Crescent
Waxing Gibbous
Identifying Phases of the Moon III - Key Which image shows First Quarter? 4 Full? 7 Third Quarter? 10 Which images are crescents? 1,2,3, 11,12 gibbous? 5,6,8,9 Which images are waxing? 1 through 6 Which images are waning? 8 through 12
Format A:
Format B:
Format C:
© Katie Minor 2017
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
Third (Last) Quarter
Waning Crescent
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
© Katie Minor 2017
© Katie Minor 2017
JU
L 5-1
1
JU
L 4
JU
N 2
9 -
JU
L 3
JU
N 2
8
JU
N 21-2
7
JU
N 20
JU
N 13-1
9
JU
N 12
JU
N 6-1
1
JU
N 5
MA
Y 3
0 -JU
N 4
MA
Y 29
MA
Y 23
-28
MA
Y 22
MA
Y 15
-21
MAY 1
4M
AY
8-1
3
MA
Y 7 M
AY
1-6
AP
R 3
0 AP
R 23-29
APR
22 APR 15-21 APR 14APR 8-13
APR 7
APR 2-6
APR 1
MAR 25-31
MAR 24
MAR 17-23
MAR 16
MAR 10-15
MAR 9
MAR 3-8
MA
R 2
FEB 24-M
AR 1
FE
B 23
FE
B 16-22
FE
B 15
FEB
9-14
FEB
8FE
B 2-7
FE
B 1
JA
N 25-31
JA
N 24
JA
N 1
8-2
3J
AN
17
JA
N 1
1-1
6J
AN
10
JA
N 3
-9J
AN
2
JA
N 1
202
0
DE
C 3
0 -
JA
N 5
DE
C 2
9
DE
C 2
2-2
8
DE
C 2
1
DE
C 1
5-2
0
DE
C 1
4
DE
C 8
-13
DE
C 7
DE
C 1-6
NO
V 30
NO
V 22-29
NO
V 21
NO
V 15-20
NO
V 14
NO
V 9-13
NO
V 8N
OV
1-7OC
T 31OC T 24-30O C T 23
O C T 17-22O C T 16O C T 10-15O C T 9
O C T 2-8
O C T 1
S E P 24-30
S E P 23
S E P 18-22
S E P 17
S E P 11-16
S E P 10
SE
P 2-9
SE
P 1
AU
G 2
6-31
AU
G 2
5
AU
G 1
9-24
AU
G 18
AU
G 12
-17
AU
G 11
AU
G 4-
10A
UG
3
JU
L 2
8 -A
UG
2
JU
L 27
JU
L 21-2
6J
UL
20
JU
L 13-1
9J
UL
12
M O O N P H A S E S2 0 2 0
Education jpl.nasa.gov/edu*Optional*
Text
JU
L 6
JU
N 28-J
UL
5
JU
N 27
JU
N 21-26
JU
N 20
JU
N 14-19
JU
N 13 J
UN
7-12
JU
N 6 M
AY
30-JU
N 5
MAY 29
MAY 22-
28 MAY 21MAY 16-20
MAY 15
MAY 8-14
MAY 7
APR 30-MAY 6
APR 29
APR 23-28
APR 22
APR 16-21
APR 15
APR 9-14
AP
R 8
AP
R 1-7
MA
R 31
MA
R 25-30
MA
R 24
MA
R 18-23
MA
R 17
MA
R 10-16
MA
R 9
MA
R 2-8
MA
R 1
FE
B 24-2
8F
EB
23
FE
B 16-2
2F
EB
15
FE
B 8-1
4F
EB
7
FE
B 1-6
JA
N 3
1
JA
N 25-3
0
JA
N 24
JA
N 17-2
3
JA
N 16
JA
N 9-1
5
JA
N 8
JA
N 2-7
JA
N 1
DE
C 30-
JA
N 5
DEC
29
DEC
23-28
DE
C 22
DE
C 16-21
DE
C 15DE
C 8-14DE
C 6N
OV 30-D
E C 5N O V 29
N O V 23-28N O V 22
N O V 16-21N O V 15
N O V 8-14
N O V 7
N O V 1-6
O C T 31
O C T 25-30
O C T 24
O C T 17-23
OC
T 16
OC
T 9-
15
OC
T 8
OC
T 3-
7
OC
T 2
SE
P 25 -
OC
T 1
SEP
24
SE
P 17-23
SE
P 16
SE
P 10-15
SE
P 9
SE
P 3-8
SE
P 2
AU
G 27-S
EP
1A
UG
26
AU
G 19-2
5A
UG
18
AU
G 12-1
7A
UG
11
AU
G 5-1
0
AU
G 4
JU
L 28-A
UG
3
JU
L 27
JU
L 20-2
6
JU
L 19
JU
L 13-18
JU
L 12
JU
L 7-11
2018
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VI E
W O
N E
AR T H
V I E W O N E A R T H
V I E W O
N E A
RT H
VI E
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIEW
O
N EARTH
VIEW ON EARTH
FULL MOON12PM
12AM
WANIN
G G
IBBO
US
3PM
3AM
THIR
D Q
UA
RTE
R6
PM
6A
M
WANIN
G C
RESCEN
T
9PM9AM
NEW MOON12AM
12PM
WAXING
CRESCENT
3AM
3PM
FIRST Q
UA
RTER
6A
M
6PM
WAXING
GIBBO
US
9AM9PM
MOONRISE MOONSET
V I E W I N S PA C E
O V E R H E A D
MOON PHASES CALENDAR AND CALCULATOR (N. HEMISPHERE)HOW TO USE:
Use this moon phases calendar and calculator to find out when moon phases are visible throughout the year
and where to spot the Moon in the sky. First, turn the top Viewing Wheel to a date or date range for which you
would like to know the moon phase and/or viewing location. Then turn the Moon Phases Wheel so that the
phase on the wheel matches what’s pictured on the date you have selected. Be sure the gold arrow on the
Moon Phases Wheel is pointing to the correct date on the Calendar Wheel. (Note: The Calendar Wheel shows
the dates when moon phases occur in the Pacific Time Zone.) Once the wheels are aligned, you will see
approximately when (in local standard time) the moon will rise in the east, be overhead while facing
south and set in the west for that particular date. In the center of the Viewing Wheel, you will also
see a view of Earth and the Moon as seen from space, above Earth’s Northern Hemisphere.
For more about the Moon, explore these online resources from NASA:
Activities for Students: go.nasa.gov/MoonActivities
Lessons for Educators: go.nasa.gov/MoonLessons
NASA’s Moon Website: moon.nasa.gov
POKE HOLE
1. Print out (and optionally cut out).
2. Print and cut out. Follow the instructions on the back
to fill in the moon phases.
3. Print. Where indicated on the back, cut out, punch hole and line up moonset/rise
panels, attaching with tape.
4. Poke a hole in the center of each piece and stack in the order indicated on the backs. Attach in the center
with a brass fastener.
CALENDAR WHEEL
MOON PHASES WHEEL VIEWING WHEEL & PANELS
ASSEMBLED CALENDAR
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VI E
W O
N E
AR T H
V I E W O N E A R T H
V I E W O
N E A
RT H
VI E
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIEW
O
N EARTH
VIEW ON EARTH
FULL MOON12PM
12AM
WANIN
G G
IBBO
US
3PM
3AM
THIR
D Q
UA
RTE
R6
PM
6A
M
WANIN
G C
RESCEN
T
9PM9AM
NEW MOON12AM
12PM
WAXING
CRESCENT
3AM
3PM
FIRST Q
UA
RTER
6A
M
6PM
WAXING
GIBBO
US
9AM9PM
MOONRISE MOONSET
V I E W I N S PA C E
O V E R H E A D
M O O N P H A S E S
Education jpl.nasa.gov/edu
JU
L 6
JU
N 2
8-J
UL
5
JU
N 27
JU
N 21-2
6
JU
N 20
JU
N 14-1
9
JU
N 13
JU
N 7-12
JU
N 6
MA
Y 30-J
UN
5
MA
Y 29
MA
Y 22-28
MA
Y 21
MA
Y 16-20
MA
Y 15
MA
Y 8-14
MA
Y 7 A
PR
30-M
AY
6
AP
R 29
APR 23
-28 APR 22APR 16-2
1 APR 15APR 9-14APR 8
APR 1-7
MAR 31
MAR 25-30
MAR 24
MAR 18-23
MAR 17
MAR 10-16
MA
R 9
MA
R 2-8
MA
R 1
FE
B 24-28
FE
B 23
FE
B 16-22
FEB
15
FE
B 8-14
FE
B 7
FE
B 1-6
JA
N 31
JA
N 25-3
0J
AN
24
JA
N 17-2
3J
AN
16
JA
N 9-1
5J
AN
8
JA
N 2-7
JA
N 1
DE
C 30-J
AN
5
DE
C 29
DE
C 23-2
8
DE
C 22
DE
C 16-2
1
DE
C 15
DE
C 8-14
DE
C 6
NO
V 30-
DE
C 5
NO
V 29
NO
V 23-28
NO
V 22
NO
V 16-21
NO
V 15N
OV 8-14
NO
V 7NO
V 1-6OC
T 31O C T 25-30O C T 24
O C T 17-23O C T 16
O C T 9-15
O C T 8
O C T 3-7
O C T 2
S E P 25 -O C T 1
S E P 24
S E P 17-23
S E P 16
S E P 10-15
SE
P 9
SE
P 3-
8
SE
P 2
AU
G 27-
SE
P 1
AU
G 26
AU
G 19-25
AU
G 18
AU
G 12-17
AU
G 11
AU
G 5-10
AU
G 4
JU
L 28-A
UG
3J
UL
27
JU
L 20-2
6J
UL
19
JU
L 13-1
8J
UL
12
JU
L 7-1
1
M O O N P H A S E S
Education jpl.nasa.gov/edu
JU
L 6
JU
N 28-J
UL
5
JU
N 27
JU
N 21-26
JU
N 20
JU
N 14-19
JU
N 13
JU
N 7-12
JU
N 6 M
AY
30-J
UN
5
MA
Y 29 M
AY 22
-28 MAY 21
MAY 16-20 MAY 15
MAY 8-14MAY 7
APR 30-MAY 6
APR 29
APR 23-28
APR 22
APR 16-21
APR 15
APR 9-14
APR 8
AP
R 1-7
MA
R 31
MA
R 25-30
MA
R 24
MA
R 18-23
MA
R 17
MA
R 10-16
MA
R 9
MA
R 2-8
MA
R 1
FE
B 24
-28
FE
B 23
FE
B 16-22
FE
B 15
FE
B 8-1
4F
EB
7
FE
B 1-6
JA
N 3
1
JA
N 25-3
0
JA
N 24
JA
N 17-2
3
JA
N 16
JA
N 9-1
5
JA
N 8
JA
N 2-7
JA
N 1D
EC
30-JA
N 5
DE
C 29
DE
C 23-28
DEC
22D
EC
16-21
DE
C 15
DE
C 8-14D
EC 6N
OV 30-D
EC 5
NO
V 29N O V 23-28N O V 22
N O V 16-21N O V 15N O V 8-14
N O V 7
N O V 1-6
O C T 31
O C T 25-30
O C T 24
O C T 17-23
O C T 16
OC
T 9-15
OC
T 8
OC
T 3-
7
OC
T 2
SE
P 25
-OC
T 1
SE
P 24
SEP
17-23
SEP
16
SE
P 10-15
SE
P 9
SE
P 3-8
SE
P 2
AU
G 27-S
EP
1
AU
G 26
AU
G 19-2
5A
UG
18
AU
G 12-1
7A
UG
11
AU
G 5-1
0
AU
G 4
JU
L 28-A
UG
3
JU
L 27
JU
L 20-2
6
JU
L 19
JU
L 13-1
8
JU
L 12
JU
L 7-11
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VI E
W O
N E
AR T H
V I E W O N E A R T H
V I E W O
N E A
RT H
VI E
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIEW
O
N EARTH
VIEW ON EARTH
FULL MOON12PM
12AM
WANIN
G G
IBBO
US
3PM
3AM
THIR
D Q
UA
RTE
R6
PM
6A
M
WANIN
G C
RESCEN
T
9PM9AM
NEW MOON12AM
12PM
WAXING
CRESCENT
3AM
3PM
FIRST Q
UA
RTER
6A
M
6PM
WAXING
GIBBO
US
9AM9PM
MOONRISE MOONSET
V I E W I N S PA C E
O V E R H E A D
MOONRISEMOONSET
V I E W O
N E A
RT H
VI E
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIEW
O
N EA
RTH
VIEW ON EARTH
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VIE
W O
N E
AR
TH
VI E
W O
N E
A R T H
V I E W O N E A R T H
FULL MOON12AM
12PM
WANING
GIBBO
US
3AM
3PM
THIR
D Q
UA
RTER
6A
M
6PM
WANING
CRESCENT
9AM9PM
NEW MOON12PM
12AM
WAXIN
G C
RESCEN
T
3PM
3AM
FIR
ST Q
UA
RTE
R6
PM
6A
M
WAXIN
G G
IBBO
US
9PM9AM
INSTRUCTIONS: Using pencil or a black pen or marker, shade in the moon phases on
the reverse side according to the labels. Start with the new moon
at 12PM and add the seven other moon phases in order, going
counterclockwise. Be sure to color in the moon phases
correctly, otherwise your calculator will not work properly!
Unsure of the moon phases?
Make a Moon Journal, first:
go.nasa.gov/MoonJournal
MOON PHASES WHEELSTACK ON TOP OF CALENDAR WHEEL, THIS SIDE DOWN
POKE HOLE
MOONRISE PANELTAPE TO BACK OF VIEWING WHEEL,
THIS SIDE UP
MOONSET PANELTAPE TO BACK OF VIEWING WHEEL,
THIS SIDE UP
AB
O
VE E A R T H ’ S N . H E M I S
P HE
RE
1. NEW
MO
ON
2. WA
CRESC
ENT 3. FIRST QUARTER 4. WAXING GIBBOUS 5. FULL MOON 6. WANING GIBBOUS 7. T
HIRD Q
UARTE
R 8
. WA
NIN
G C
RES
CEN
T
1. M
atc
h th
e M
oon
Phase
s Wheel w
ith
the
moo
n pha
se
on th
e calendar
*visibility may vary
2020 M
OO
N EV
ENTS
MAR 9 Superm
oon
JAN 10 Penum
bral Lunar Eclipse*
APR 7 Superm
oon
JUN 5 Penum
bral Lunar Eclipse
*
JUL 4 Penum
bral Lunar Eclipse
*
2. S
ee w
hen
and
where to
0°
8
45°
90°
18
0°
225°
135°
270°
31
5°
1
2
3
4 5
6
7
spot
the m
oon
V I E W I N S PA C E
O V E R H E A D
NOV 30 Penum
bral Lunar Eclipse
*
VIEWING WHEELSTACK ON TOP OF MOON PHASES WHEEL, THIS SIDE DOWN
PUNCH HOLE
POKE HOLE
TAPE MOONSET PANEL HERE TAPE MOONRISE PANEL HERE
TAPE MOONSET PANEL HERE TAPE MOONRISE PANEL HERE