Brief Explanation of the Moon Phases
The phases of the moon are caused by the relative positions of the earth, sun, and moon. The moon goes around the earth in 27.3 days, or 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes, on average. This measurement is relative to the stars and is called the sidereal period or orbital period. However, because of the earth's motion around the sun, a complete moon cycle (New Moon to New Moon) appears to earthbound observers to take a couple of days longer: 29.5305882 days to be exact. This number is called the synodic period or "lunation", and is relative to the sun.
The sun always illuminates the half of the moon facing the sun (except during lunar eclipses, when the moon passes thru the earth's shadow). When the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth, the moon appears "full" to us, a bright, round disk. When the moon is between the earth and the sun, it appears dark, a "new" moon. In between, the moon's illuminated surface appears to grow (wax) to full, then decreases (wanes) to the next new moon.
The edge of the shadow (the terminator) is always curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon its familiar crescent shape. Because the "horns" of the moon at the ends of the crescent are always facing away from the setting or rising sun, they always point upward in the sky. It is fun to watch for paintings and pictures which show an "impossible moon" with the horns pointed downwards.
(some of above information courtesy of NASA http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov)
And here is a Google image result: http://images.google.ca/images?q=phases+of+the+moon&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
the shape and the position of moon as seen from the earth from the full moon night till new moon night is called as the phases of the moon
Moon Phases , or Lunar Phases.
The moon has 8 phases
There are only 8 phases of the moon.
You get the phases of the moon from the Sun reflecting off the moon at different angles.
The cause of the phases of the Moon is closely related to our calendar month. (moon-th). The phases of the Moon are related to the Moon's orbit of Earth.
Yes. The phases of the moon aren't based on the size of the moon. Phases are based on the position of the moon in relation to the sun.
The cause of the phases of the Moon is closely related to our calendar month. (moon-th). The phases of the Moon are related to the Moon's orbit of Earth.
As with any month there are all the phases of the moon.
No, the phases of Moon don't change.
The phases of the moon have no effect on your health.
The phases of the moon are created by the relative position of the moon, to the earth, to the sun.
The phases of the moon are created by the relative position of the moon, to the earth, to the sun.