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Final Assignment - Edu 214

This document explains the moon's phases and eclipses. It describes how the moon was likely formed from a collision with Earth and how it orbits elliptically. The 8 phases of the moon are defined in order from new moon to waxing crescent to 1st quarter to waxing gibbous to full moon to waning gibbous to 3rd quarter to waning crescent as it orbits Earth monthly. Lunar and solar eclipses occur when the sun, earth, and moon align in different configurations.

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62 views

Final Assignment - Edu 214

This document explains the moon's phases and eclipses. It describes how the moon was likely formed from a collision with Earth and how it orbits elliptically. The 8 phases of the moon are defined in order from new moon to waxing crescent to 1st quarter to waxing gibbous to full moon to waning gibbous to 3rd quarter to waning crescent as it orbits Earth monthly. Lunar and solar eclipses occur when the sun, earth, and moon align in different configurations.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

The Moon

and its
Phases
Ms. Baeza
5th Grade
EDU 214
Objectives
Students will be able to:
● Explain the workings of the moon (orbit, origin, etc.)
● Understand the differences and similarities of a Lunar and
Solar Eclipse;
● List and recount all 8 Moon Phases;
● Understand the correct order of the Moon Phases; and
● Correctly depict the moon phases.
Origins
Despite there being countless theories
about how our moon was created, no one
has ever really been certain. However,
based on evidence found in today's age, it
is believed to have been formed after a
huge collision to our earth. When the earth
was still forming, this collision caused a
huge chunk to be ripped off which then
became the moon we see today.
How it orbits
The moon orbits around the earth on
an elliptical orbit. This means that the
distance it has with the earth changes.
It’s also tilted about 5 degrees. This tilt
is similar to how the the Earth orbits
around the Sun, which creates the
different hemispheres and seasons.

The moon is very important. It’s


presence alone helps stabilize our
planet’s wobble and moderates our
climate.
Lunar and Solar Eclipses

What is a Solar Eclipse? When do they happen?


A Solar Eclipse is when the Moon passes between
Earth and the Sun, blocking out the light for a short
What is a Lunar Eclipse? When do they period of time. It is extremely dangerous to look at
happen? a Solar Eclipse as it is passing. The shine once the
A Lunar Eclipse is when Earth passes moon moves can be blinding. These types of
between the Sun and the Moon, casting a eclipses are extremely rare as the Sun, Moon, and
shadow on the Moon. These eclipses can Earth all must be aligned.
occur around 3 times a year.
The Moon Phases
So what exactly are the moon phases? Well,
there are 8 stages the moon transitions to
when becoming either a new Moon or a Full
Moon.

These eight phases follow a specific order and


are as follows: a new moon, waxing crescent,
1st quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning
gibbous, 3rd/last quarter and waning crescent.

The moon goes through this cycle roughly


once a month (or every 29.5 days).
Defining the Vocabulary
Each phase of the moon is titled differently and
specifically to whatever phase the moon is in. The most
important words to know are:

Waxing: The surface of the moon you can see is growing.


*The illuminated part is on the right*

Waning: the surface of the moon you can see is


shrinking. *The illuminated part is on the left*

Crescent: Less than half of the moon is showing; in the


shape of a crescent.

Gibbous: More than half of the moon is showing.


New Moon
A new moon is the very start
of the Lunar cycle. This is
when the moon is on the same
side as the Earth and Sun. due
to it being on the same side,
no light reaches its surface,
making it “dark” and unable to
be seen.
Waxing Crescent
This is the 2nd phase of the
Lunar cycle. It means that only
a small sliver of the moon is
illuminated. The shape of the
lighted portion is in the shape
of a crescent, hence the name
“Waxing Crescent”.
1st Quarter
This is the 3rd phase of the
Lunar cycle. This phase occurs
halfway between a new moon
and a full moon. Only one
quarter of the moon is
illuminated and is visible from
Earth. Think of it like an apple
cut into four pieces, only one of
those pieces we can see.
Waxing Gibbous
This is the 4th phase of the
Lunar cycle. This is when
more than half of the moon is
visible from earth. This is also
the last phase before the
moon turners into a Full Moon.
Full Moon
This is the 5th phase of the
Lunar Cycle. This phase is
when the moon and Sun or on
opposite sides of the Earth.
The moon's surface is also
completely illuminated by the
Sun.
Waning Gibbous
This is the 6th phase of the
Lunar cycle. This is when the
illuminated part of the moon
shrinks. The illuminated part
is less than 100%, but it’s not
completely halved. This phase
comes immediately after a
Full Moon.
3rd/Last Quarter
This is the 7th phase of the
Lunar cycle. This phase is
when only 1 quarter of the
moon is illuminated by the
sun. Both 3rd quarter and Last
quarter are interchangeable
names for this phase.
Waning Crescent
This is the final phase of the
Lunar cycle before it repeats
with the New Moon once
again. This phase illuminated
part of the moon shrinks to
less than half, creating the
crescent shape once again.
Activity

Something very important to note about the moon and its phases is that they
change depending on its position when orbiting the Earth. Meaning the phase the
moon is on will look slightly different depending on wherever you are on Earth.
Specifically, the angle.

This can be easily replicated with only two things: a ball and a flashlight! I will now
demonstrate what the phases can look like from Earth using my flashlight as the
sun.

Demonstration Time!

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