Copy - Phases of the moon

Why does the moon look different at different times?

Phases of the Moon

Let's find out

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We see different images of the moon at different times of the month.Click on the man to watch the changes we see over one month of watching the moon (well, 28 days to be exact!).

But what causes the Moon to look different?Let's find out...

Position of the moon

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What you see from Earth

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online simulation

Grab a worksheet and complete the tasks found at this website link.

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Why do you see this shaped moon from Earth?

Only a small line of light on the right hand side can be seen.

A lot of darkness on the left hand side.

click to explain

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so this is the shape of the moon that we see

This faces the Earth

The moon is lit up by light from the sun, which people on Earth see reflected off of the moon. As the moon moves around Earth, the amount of light it receives from the sun changes, creating the lunar phases. The moon completes a single lunar cycle (orbit) in about one month (28 days).

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