Phases Of The Moon Chart To Fill In
Have you ever wondered why the moon appears to change its shape every night? The answer lies in the phases of the moon. The moon goes through different phases as it orbits around the Earth, and each phase has a unique appearance. To keep track of these phases, you can use a phases of the moon chart. In this article, we will discuss the different phases of the moon and how to fill in a phases of the moon chart.
What are the phases of the moon?
The moon has eight different phases, which are: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. These phases occur as the moon orbits around the Earth and reflects sunlight.
New Moon
The new moon is the first phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon is not visible from Earth because it is in the same position as the sun. This means that the side of the moon facing Earth is not lit up by the sun.
Waxing Crescent
The waxing crescent is the second phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a thin crescent in the sky. The crescent shape is formed as the moon starts to move away from the sun and more of its surface becomes visible from Earth.
First Quarter
The first quarter is the third phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a half-circle in the sky. This is because half of the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun, while the other half is in shadow.
Waxing Gibbous
The waxing gibbous is the fourth phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a nearly full circle in the sky. The gibbous shape is formed as more and more of the moon's surface becomes illuminated by the sun.
Full Moon
The full moon is the fifth phase of the moon. During this phase, the entire surface of the moon facing Earth is illuminated by the sun. The moon appears as a bright, round circle in the sky.
Waning Gibbous
The waning gibbous is the sixth phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a nearly full circle in the sky, but with a small portion of its surface in shadow. The gibbous shape is formed as the moon starts to move away from the sun.
Third Quarter
The third quarter is the seventh phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a half-circle in the sky, but with the opposite side illuminated compared to the first quarter. This means that the side of the moon facing Earth during the first quarter is now in shadow, and vice versa.
Waning Crescent
The waning crescent is the eighth and final phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a thin crescent in the sky, similar to the waxing crescent. However, this time the illuminated portion of the moon is getting smaller as it moves closer to the new moon phase.
How to fill in a phases of the moon chart
A phases of the moon chart is a useful tool for tracking the different phases of the moon. You can fill in a chart by writing the date and the corresponding phase of the moon. You can also use symbols or pictures to represent each phase. Here is an example of how to fill in a phases of the moon chart:
1. Write the date in the first column of the chart.
2. Write the name of the phase in the second column.
3. Use symbols or pictures to represent each phase.
4. Continue to fill in the chart for each day of the lunar cycle.
Conclusion
The phases of the moon are a fascinating natural phenomenon that can be tracked using a phases of the moon chart. By filling in a chart, you can keep track of the different phases of the moon and learn more about our natural satellite. Whether you are an astronomer or just a curious observer, a phases of the moon chart is a useful tool for exploring the night sky.