Lunar Cycles
Goal: Identify the phases of the Moon, and
relate the phases to eclipses.
Moon Phase Foldable
The new moon
phase occurs when
the Moon is
between the Sun
and the Earth.
When this occurs,
there is a
possibility of having
a solar eclipse.
Solar eclipses do
not happen each
month because the
orbit of the Moon is
10o off from the
orbit of the Earth.
New Moon
The Moon revolves
around the Earth.
Waxing means to
increase in size. This
refers to the lit portion
of the Moon.
Crescent refers to the
shape.
Remember, the line
dividing the light from
the dark is called the
terminator.
The terminator moves
from right to left.
Waxing Crescent
When the Moon has
gone one fourth of
the way around the
Earth, it is called
the first quarter.
From our point of
view, the right half
of the Moon is lit.
First Quarter
The gibbous phase
looks like a fat
football.
The word gibbous
means bulging.
During the waxing
gibbous phase, the
lit side of the Moon
continues to grow
in size.
Waxing Gibbous
During the full
moon, we see the
light reflecting from
the entire surface
of the moon facing
the Earth.
During this phase,
it is possible to
have a lunar
eclipse.
Full Moon
During the waning
phase of the Moon,
the lit portion
decreases in size.
The waning gibbous
occurs after the full
moon.
Waning Gibbous
The third quarter
has the lit side on
the left.
The Moon is three
fourths of the way
around its orbit.
Third Quarter
The waning
crescent gets
smaller and
smaller, until the
Moon completes its
orbit and begins a
new cycle with
another new moon.
Waning Crescent
In your science
notebook, list the
phases of the Moon
beginning with the
full moon.
First Quarter
Pop QuizWhat phase is this? Be prepared to
Justify your answer.
New Moon
What phase?
Waning
Gibbous
What phase?
Full Moon
What phase?
Waxing
Crescent
What phase?
Lunar
Eclipse
What type of eclipse could occur
during this phase?
First
Quarter
What phase?
Waning
Gibbous
What phase?
First
Quarter
What phase?
New
Moon
What phase?
Waning
Crescent
What phase?