Moon Phases Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'New Moon' refer to?

Crescent on the left side, dark on the right.

Lit on the right side, dark on the left.

Fully illuminated moon

Start of the phase. (correct)

What does a 'Full Moon' represent?

Fully illuminated moon

Describe the appearance of the 'First Quarter' moon.

Lit on the right side, dark on the left.

What is the characteristic of the 'Third Quarter' moon?

Lit on the left side, dark on the right. Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Waxing Gibbous' moon appear?

Slightly dark on the left side, mostly lit on the right. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the 'Waning Gibbous' phase?

Slightly dark on the right side, mostly lit on the left. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Waning Crescent' moon look like?

Crescent on the left side, dark on the right. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the 'Waxing Crescent' moon.

Crescent on the right side, dark on the left. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moon Phases Overview

The moon goes through a cycle of phases influenced by its position relative to the Earth and Sun.
The major phases of the moon are New Moon, Full Moon, First Quarter, and Third Quarter.

New Moon

Marks the beginning of the lunar cycle.
The moon is not visible from Earth as it is positioned between the Earth and the Sun.

Full Moon

Occurs when the moon is fully illuminated by the Sun.
The entire face of the moon is bright and visible from Earth.

First Quarter

The moon is half illuminated, with the right side lit up.
This phase occurs one week after the New Moon.

Third Quarter

The opposite of the First Quarter, with the left side illuminated.
The moon appears half-lit again, occurring three weeks after the New Moon.

Waxing Gibbous

The moon is mostly illuminated, with a slight shadow on the left.
Occurs after the First Quarter and before the Full Moon.

Waning Gibbous

The moon is still mostly illuminated, but with a slight shadow on the right.
Follows the Full Moon and precedes the Third Quarter.

Waxing Crescent

The crescent shape is visible on the right side, with most of the left side dark.
This phase occurs after the New Moon, leading up to the First Quarter.

Waning Crescent

A crescent shape is visible on the left side, with most of the right side dark.
This phase follows the Third Quarter and leads back to the New Moon.

Description

Test your knowledge on the different phases of the moon with this quiz. Each flashcard highlights key terms such as New Moon, Full Moon, and others involved in the lunar cycle. It's a perfect way to learn and remember the characteristics of each phase.