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Astronomy Year / Week 02 / Tuesday
2/6
Week 02 · The Moon Changes

Tuesday

Moon shapes
// Moon shapes and a moon log
⏱ about 15 min

Tuesday: Moon shapes

Nova projects a row of Moon pictures in the air.

"Some are round. Some are thin. Some look like half a circle," Rocket says.

Raven tilts her head. "What do you notice about the names?"

Nova blinks. "Hint: each shape has its own name, called a phase."

Moon phases

Phase nameWhat it looks like
New moonWe cannot see it
CrescentA thin curve
Quarter moonLooks like half a circle
GibbousMore than half, almost round
Full moonA whole round circle

A quarter moon looks like half a circle.

We see half of the lit half. Half of a half is a quarter!

NAME THAT PHASE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
The Moon looks like a whole round circle. Which phase is it?
The Moon is a thin curve. Which phase is it?
You cannot see the Moon at all. Which phase could it be?
The Moon is almost round, but not quite. Which phase is it?
Moon shapeTrue or false?
A full moon is a whole round circle.?
A crescent is almost round.?
A quarter moon looks like half a circle.?
We can see the new moon easily.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing the names helps you fill your moon log.
Draw a crescent, a quarter moon and a full moon.

Eight phases

Astronomers name eight Moon phases in all.

Some names say waxing, for growing.

Some names say waning, for shrinking.

You will learn those words tomorrow.

MORE PHASE PRACTICE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which phase looks like half a circle?
How many Moon phases do astronomers name?
Which phase is more than half but not round?
Moon shapeTrue or false?
A full moon looks like a whole circle.?
A crescent is a thin, curved shape.?
The Moon makes its own light.?
WHY THIS EXERCISENaming the shapes helps you fill in your moon log.

You know the Moon's shapes now! Tomorrow we find their order.

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