Moon Phases
By: Anjali Polley
1st Quarter
It is in the waxing phase. On earth it appears the moon is half lit, with the light on the right. During the first quarter, half of the Moon is illuminated, as seen from the Earth. In northern regions of the world, the right part will be visible, while the left part will be visible in the southern regions.
3rd Quarter
It is in the waining phase. On earth it apperars the moon is half lit, with the light on the left.The third quarter moon occurs when the other half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the first quarter.
Similarities
Both phases appear half way lit from the earth
Both phases appear half lit from space
Differences
The light is on different sides of the moon
1st quarter rises in the middle of the day and sets near the middle of the night
3rd quarter rises approximately in the middle of the night and sets in the middle of the day.
1st quarter the moon is "waxing" or getting bigger.
3rd quarter it is "waning" or getting smaller
Earth vs Space
Our view of the moon on earth is different from an astronaut on the ISS. From earth it looks like the are different phases, while from the ISS it always look like the moon is half lit. The moon is always half lit, but because of the way earth is angled, we only see parts of the light on the moon, while on the ISS you always see all the light.