Lunar Phases

Question 1

What is a Crescent Moon?

Answer 1

Less than half lit

Appears as a sliver or crescent.

Question 2

What defines a Full Moon?

Answer 2

Side of the moon facing Earth is fully lit

Happens when Earth is between the moon and the sun.

Question 3

What is a Gibbous Moon?

Answer 3

More than half lit, but not full.

Question 4

What characterizes a New Moon?

Answer 4

Side of the moon facing Earth is completely dark

The moon is between Earth and the sun.

Question 5

What is Moonlight?

Answer 5

Moon doesn’t produce its own light; it reflects sunlight.

Question 6

How long does it take for the Moon to orbit Earth?

Answer 6

~28 days.

Question 7

What causes the phases of the Moon?

Answer 7

Different parts of the moon are lit by the sun.

Question 8

What is a Quarter Moon?

Answer 8

Half of the lit surface is visible

Appears as a half circle.

Question 9

When does a Quarter Moon occur?

Answer 9

One week after full moon and one week after new moon.

Question 10

What is the cycle duration of the Moon’s phases?

Answer 10

~29.5 days.

Question 11

List the phases of the Moon in order.

Answer 11

• New Moon
• Waxing Crescent
• First Quarter
• Waxing Gibbous
• Full Moon
• Waning Gibbous
• Third Quarter
• Waning Crescent