Lunar cycle

• Takes the moon about 1 month to revolve around the Earth

• 1/2 of the moon is reflecting light at all times

• There are 8 phases of the moon

• It take about 3.5 days for the moon to shift to the next moon phase

• Waxing means the moon is appearing to get bigger and brighter (the light is on the right)

• Waning means the moon is appearing to get smaller and darker (the light is on the left)

• Full moon is 100% visible

• New moon is 0% visible

• Crescent moon is 25% visible

• Quarter moon is 50% visible

• Gibbous moon is 75% visible

• Now we will determine the moon phase by determining two things:

• Is it waxing or waning? Look at the light. If it's light on the right, it's waxing. If it's light on the left, it's waning!

• Then determine how much is visible and put it all together!

• Ex: This is a waxing gibbous because the light is on the right (waxing) and it is 75% visible (gibbous)

• 1st quarter moon has light on the right. It is waxing

• 3rd quarter, also known as Last quarter, has light on the left

​Let's put them in order:

In your notes, let's write the name and % illuminated!

1/2 of the moon reflects light

The moon revolves in a counter-clockwise direction

It takes about a month to revolve all the way around the Earth

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