Phases of the Moon
how it works
Introduction
The moon works by the sun's light. The sun's light hits part of the moon and shows that part of it. For example the sun's light might hit the side of the moon and show a waxing or waning crescent.
New Moon
The new moon looks like nothing, but there is one little part that you can see a little tiny spot of the moon. The moon is beginning its cycle, becoming "new".
Waxing Crescent
The waxing crescent is an almost half the moon it just has a little part cut off. Its half way between new moon and first quarter.
First Quarter
The first quarter happens when the moon is at a 90 degree angle. So that we see half of the moon illuminated and half in shadow.
Waxing Gibbous
On the waxing gibbous there is only a small part on the left that is cut off.
waning gibbous
It's the same thing as the waxing gibbous but the right side and the left side is cut off.
Last Quarter
the last quarter ( or third quarter ) is a half moon again, but on the left side.
Waning crescent
We can only see a little piece on the left, after that part the cycle will began on a new moon again.
Some More Information
The cycle repeat will about 27 days. There can be 2 full moons in one mouth! People call that a blue moon.
Other Names for The Moons And Others
Disseminating moon,Balsamic moon and Void of course
Disseminating moon is the waning gibbous.
Balsamic is waning crescent.
Void of course: when the moon represents a period of time, usually lasting less than a day.