Our Solar System
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16. Phases of the Moon

- When the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, the side facing away from Earthis light up and the side we see is dark. This is called a
new moon because
people in many cultures used it to mark the beginning of a new month.

- When it is behind the Earth, the side we see is light up. This is called a full moon.

- When the Moon is halfway between new moon and full moon, we see one quarter of the Moon. This phase is called the first quarter.

- When the Moon is halfway between full moon and new moon, we see a quarter of the Moobn again, but the opposite quarter from what we see at first quarter. This phase is called the third quarter because the Moon had gone three quarters the way around its orbit from the new moon position.

- When the Moon is between either one of the quarter phases and new moon, it is in a crescent phase. It is shaped like a banana or a cow's horns.

- When the Moon is between either one of the quarter phases and full moon, it is in a gibbous phase. The unlit part as seen from Earth is crescent shaped.

This video shows how Earth looks from the Moon and how the Moon looks from Earth.


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