Moon Phases Explained (with Oreos)

Moon Phases Explained (with Oreo Cookies)



There are 8 key stages in a moon phase cycle.



First Quarter



Did you know that a complete moon phase cycle is exactly 29.5 days



Waxing Gibbous



Waxing Crescent



Full Moon



New Moon



Waning Gibbous



Waning Crescent



Full Moon/New Moon:The Earth, Moon and Sun are in approximate alignment. (The New Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth, so the highlighted portion is entirely hidden from view.)



Third Quarter



Waxing: Growing



Waning: Shrinking



Gibbous: More than half is illuminated



Crescent: Less than half is illuminated



If the Sun comes in from one direction, why am i seeing all these different shapes?



As the Moon orbits around Earth we see the bright sections of the moon at different angles. Moon phases depend on the Moon's relative positive to the Sun and Earth.



Shadowed side



Moon



The Sun



Earth



Now you may eat the rest of your Oreo Cookies!



Brought to you by Optics Central

Australia's Optics Superstore

www.opticscentral.com.au Moon Phases Explained (With Oreo Cookies) Did you know that a complete moon phase cycle is exactly There are First Quarter 8 key stages 29.5 days in a moon phase cycle. Waxing Gibbous Waxing Crescent ORE New Moon Full Moon Waning Gibbous Waning Crescent Waxing : Growing Full Moon/New Moon: Waning: Shrinking The Earth, Moon and Sun are in approximate Gibbous: More than half is illuminated alignment. (The New Moon is on the opposite Third Quarter Crescent: Less than half is illuminated side of the Earth, so the highlighted portion is entirely hidden from view.) If the Sun comes in from one direction, why am i seeing all these different shapes? As the Moon orbits around Earth we see the bright sections of the moon at different angles. Moon phases depend on the Moon's relative positive to the Sun and Earth. Shadowed side Moon The Sun (ORE Earth OREO Now you may eat the rest of your Oreo Cookies! Brought to you by OPTICS CENTRAL Australia's Optics Superstore Reference: www.opticscentral.com.au http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_phase http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases.phtml