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moon phase

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

The moon phase is the shape of the moon as it appears from Earth. The moon phase changes because the moon rotates around Earth and the sun shines on different parts of the moon.

The moon phase is determined by the angle between the sun, Earth, and the moon. When the sun, Earth, and the moon are in a straight line, the moon is in a new moon phase. When the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of Earth, the moon is in a full moon phase.

The moon phase is important for many reasons. It is used to track time, to navigate, and to study the moon's surface. The moon phase is also important for plants and animals. Many plants and animals have a lunar cycle, which means that their behaviour changes with the moon phase.

How can the word be used?

The ancients used the moon phases to track time.

moon phase

Different forms of the word

Noun: One of the eight stages that the Moon goes through as it orbits the Earth.

Adjective: Relating to or occurring during a particular moon phase.

Verb: To pass through a particular moon phase.

Etymology

The word "moon phase" is a compound word that is made up of the words "moon" and "phase." The word "moon" comes from the Old English word "mōn," which means "the natural satellite of Earth." The word "phase" comes from the Greek word "phásē," which means "appearance.".

The word "moon phase" was first used in English in the 14th century to describe the different stages that the Moon goes through as it orbits the Earth. The word was originally used to describe the four main moon phases: new moon, full moon, first quarter, and last quarter.

Question

Draw what a moon phase looks like.

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the concept of moon phases and describe the different phases of the moon. How do these phases occur, and what is their significance in terms of lunar visibility?

Answer:

Moon phases are the different shapes or appearances of the moon as observed from Earth due to its changing position in relation to the sun and the resulting illumination of its surface.

The moon goes through eight distinct phases in its monthly orbit around Earth. These phases include the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent. These phases occur due to the varying angles at which the moon, Earth, and sun align, resulting in differing amounts of the moon's illuminated half being visible from our perspective.

During a New Moon, the side of the moon facing Earth is in shadow, making it appear completely dark. As the moon orbits, gradually more of its illuminated side becomes visible, leading to the Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, and Waxing Gibbous phases. A Full Moon occurs when the moon is positioned directly opposite the sun, displaying its fully illuminated face. Subsequently, the moon goes through Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent phases as its illuminated side becomes less visible.

Moon phases are significant because they affect the moon's visibility and appearance in the night sky. They also play a role in cultural and historical practices, such as determining the timing of lunar months in various calendars and influencing agricultural activities.