Question 1

What are the moon phases?

Accepted Answer

Moon phases are the different shapes of the moon we see from Earth. These shapes change because of how the sun shines on the moon and how the moon orbits around Earth.

Question 2

Why does the moon change shape?

Accepted Answer

The moon doesn't actually change shape; it just looks different from Earth. This happens because of the way sunlight hits the moon and the moon's position in its orbit around Earth.

Question 3

What is a new moon?

Accepted Answer

A new moon is when the moon isn't visible from Earth. This happens because the side of the moon that’s lit up is facing away from us.

Question 4

What is a full moon?

Accepted Answer

A full moon is when the whole face of the moon that we can see from Earth is lit up by the sun. It looks like a big, bright circle in the sky.

Question 5

What is a crescent moon?

Accepted Answer

A crescent moon looks like a thin slice or a small piece of the moon. It's when only a tiny part of the moon is lit up by the sun.

Question 6

What is a gibbous moon?

Accepted Answer

A gibbous moon is when more than half of the moon is lit up, but it's not a full moon yet. It looks bigger than a half-moon but not quite full.

Question 7

What is a quarter moon?

Accepted Answer

A quarter moon is when half of the moon is lit up and visible from Earth. It’s also called a half-moon because it looks like half of a circle.

Question 8

Why do we see only one side of the moon?

Accepted Answer

We see only one side of the moon because it takes the same amount of time to rotate on its axis as it does to orbit around Earth. This makes the same side of the moon always face us.

Question 9

How long does it take for the moon to go through all its phases?

Accepted Answer

It takes about 29 and a half days for the moon to go through all its phases, from new moon to full moon and back to new moon. This period is called a lunar month.

Question 10

Why are moon phases important?

Accepted Answer

Moon phases have been important for telling time and creating calendars. They also affect things like ocean tides and can help animals with their behaviors at night.

Question 11

What causes a lunar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A lunar eclipse happens when Earth comes between the sun and the moon. This blocks sunlight from reaching the moon, making the moon look dim or reddish.

Question 12

What is the difference between a waxing and waning moon?

Accepted Answer

A waxing moon is when the visible part of the moon is getting bigger, while a waning moon is when it is getting smaller. Waxing happens after a new moon, and waning happens after a full moon.

Question 13

Can you see moon phases in the daytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sometimes you can see the moon during the day in certain phases, like the crescent or the quarter moon. It just depends on where the moon is in its orbit.

Question 14

Why does the moon look bigger when it rises or sets?

Accepted Answer

The moon looks bigger when it’s near the horizon because of an optical illusion. Our brains get fooled by the surrounding landscape, making the moon appear larger than it really is.

Question 15

What is a blue moon?

Accepted Answer

A blue moon is when there are two full moons in one calendar month. It doesn't actually look blue; it's just a special name for a rare event.

Question 16

What is a supermoon?

Accepted Answer

A supermoon happens when the full moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. It can make the moon look bigger and brighter than usual.

Question 17

Do other planets have moon phases?

Accepted Answer

Yes, other planets with moons can have moon phases too. But people on Earth can't see them because those moons orbit around their own planets, not Earth.

Question 18

Why doesn't the moon have its own light?

Accepted Answer

The moon doesn’t make its own light; it reflects the light from the sun. That's why sometimes we see it and sometimes we don't, depending on how much sunlight it reflects.

Question 19

How can you tell if the moon is waxing or waning?

Accepted Answer

If the right side of the moon is lit up, it's waxing, or getting bigger. If the left side is lit up, it's waning, or getting smaller.

Question 20

What are ocean tides, and how are they related to the moon?

Accepted Answer

Ocean tides are the rise and fall of sea levels. They are caused mostly by the moon's gravity pulling on Earth's water, making the seas move in and out.

The Science of Moon Phases - 20 FAQs Explained Simply