The Moon's Phases

Today we are talking about the phases of the moon.  Check out this great song that's all about moon phases, as well as eclipses and tides!

The above diagram shows you that 1/2 of the Earth and Moon are always lit by the sun.  Moon phases are simply the view of the lit side of the moon from the Earth (remember, moon phases have nothing to do with shadows....that's eclipses).

The phases are:

1.  New Moon

2.  Waxing Crescent

3.  First Quarter

4.  Waxing Gibbous

5.  Full Moon

6.  Waning Crescent

7.  Last Quarter

8.  Waning Crescent

You can use an Oreo Cookie to demonstrate what each of the moon phases looks like.  www.stevespanglerscience.com will show you how!