Does The Moon Actually Change Shape Throughout The Month?

The Phases of the Moon

Why does the Moon 'change shape' each night?

Have you e'er looked upwards at the heaven and noticed how the Moon changes shape each night? Ever wondered why… And how?

Well, here's the respond – information technology doesn't 'change shape' at all! Permit's take a expect at the phases of the Moon…

Phases of the Moon

The Moon doesn't emit (requite off) light itself, the 'moonlight' we run into is actually the Sun's lite reflected off the lunar surface.

Facts about the moon - image 2

So, as the Moon orbits the Earth, the Dominicus lights up unlike parts of it, making it seem every bit if the Moon is changing shape. In actual fact, it's just our view of information technology that's altering…

The Phases of the Moon - image 2 Zoom in for a closer look!

Changing faces

The Moon isEarth's only natural satellite (a celestial body that orbits a planet). Information technology takes the Moon 27.iii days to brand a consummate orbit around the Earth, just because the Earth is moving around the sun at the same time, it takes the moon 29.5 days to go through its eight different 'phases' – a lunar month.

The Phases of the Moon Zoom in for a closer wait!

Did you know we take a FREE downloadable Phases of the Moon main resource? Bully for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

When the Moon appears to be getting bigger, it'due south 'waxing' and when it looks like it's getting smaller, information technology's 'waning'. One time the face up of the Moon is fully turned towards the Sunday, it's a Full Moon, and we see it all. But, as the Moon moves effectually the Earth, the face pointing towards us gradually becomes hidden from the Sunday until we can hardly run across it at all – this is a New Moon. Catholic!