Phases of The Moon

Phases of the Moon: Its
Characteristics
Do you ever catch a glimpse of the moon at night? Have you ever wondered why the
presence of the moon varies over time?
The moon is not a planet but a satellite. A satellite is an opaque (objects that absorb light
and produces shadow) object that orbits a planet. The only natural satellite that the Earth has is
the moon. It is a huge object that circles the Earth and normally a fraction of its size.
The moon does not have its light source. It receives all of its light from the sun. The
location of the moon varies in relation to the observer on Earth as it rotates and revolves around
the Earth. As a result, the shape of the moon changes over time. It is because the moon passes
across the Earth, the illuminated part of the moon shifts. The apparent variation in the shape of
the moon is referred to as phases of the moon.
A moon is a massive, heavy rock ball that orbits a planet. The Earth has only one moon,
while Mars has two, and Jupiter has a whopping 67! The moon doesn’t have its own light source.
It absorbs the light of the sun and reflects it to us.
The Earth and the moon are 384,400 kilometers apart. The Earth revolves around the
moon. It completes one full revolution every 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes. It orbits the
Earth at a distance of 406,676 kilometers and has a diameter of 3,476 kilometers, or around
14% of the Earth's diameter. It is almost as large as Mercury.
When it orbits around the Earth, the moon rotates from west to east. The shape of the
moon appears to change as it rotates and orbits around the Earth. The various “shapes” of the
moon are referred to as phases.
The shape of the moon that is illuminated and visible to the observer is known as the
phases of the moon. New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon,
Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter and Waning Crescent are the eight lunar phases.
The various phases of the moon, as well as their characteristics and illustrations, are
shown below. (All illustrations in this section are made by Mr. Reyson
Joe G. Cañedo)
Name of Phases of
Characteristics Illustration
the Moon
New Moon
In this phase, we cannot see
the moon between the sun and
the Earth. The sun shines on
the side of the moon, which is
away from the Earth.
Waxing crescent
In this phase, we could see a
tiny edge of the moonlight one
or two days after a new moon.
The moon appears to be
growing, and it is in the midst
of a waxing phase, wherein the
moon started to take on a
semicircular shape.
In this phase, we can see half
of the moon's illuminated side
First quarter about a week after the new
moon moon.
Waxing gibbous In this phase, more than half of

the moon is visible in the sky.
Full Moon In this phase, we can see the

full lighted side of the moon a
week after the first quarter
moon when the Earth is
between the moon and the sun
throughout
Name of Phases of
Characteristics Illustration
the Moon
this phase. The full moon

appears in the sky as a perfect
circle.
Waning gibbous In this phase, it occurs when

the lighted part of the moon
becomes smaller.
Last quarter
moon In this phase, the half lighted
part of the moon can be seen
again on the third week of the
month. The moon soon
disappears. Only then can it be
replaced by another new moon.
In this phase, most of the moon

is visible in the sky but
Waning crescent decreasing every night time.
Directions: Read and analyze each question carefully and identify the letter of the BEST
answer. Write your answers in your Science notebook.
1. What causes the shape of the moon to change?

A. The shape of the moon changes as it orbits the Earth.
B. Some of its part break when the moon reflects light from the sun.
C. Only the lighted part of the moon is visible when the Earth moves.
D. All of the above
2. What do you call the change in the appearance of the moon?

A. Illuminated moon C. Shapes of the Moon B. Phases of the Moon
D. Structures of the Moon
3. What do you call when the moon seems to be growing?

A. crescent C. waning
B. gibbous D. waxing
4. The Earth is between the sun and the moon. What phase of the moon will occur when
this happens?
A. new moon C. full moon B. first quarter
D. last quarter
5. In which phase does the moon appear dark?

A. first quarter C. last quarter
B. full moon D. new moon
II. Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if it is not.
1. All beliefs and practices about the moon have a scientific basis.
2. During the new moon, you can see the side of the moon, which is facing the Earth, is
completely lit up by the sun.
3. In the waxing phase, the moon looks bigger because more parts of the moon are lit up
by the sun when facing the Earth.
4. In the waning crescent phase, only a small part of the moon is visible.
5. When the moon is in a specific phase, farmers do their planting because it may bring a
good harvest.

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Phases of the Moon: Its

Waxing gibbous In this phase, more than half of

Full Moon In this phase, we can see the

this phase. The full moon

Waning gibbous In this phase, it occurs when

In this phase, most of the moon

1. What causes the shape of the moon to change?

2. What do you call the change in the appearance of the moon?

3. What do you call when the moon seems to be growing?

5. In which phase does the moon appear dark?

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