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What explains why the moon appears to change shape every night?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Obviously the question is incomplete.
However, the explanation for the apparent changes is simply that the Moon orbits the Earth.
The Moon does not give off any light of its own.
It reflects the Sun's light and so only the hemisphere facing the Sun is illuminated.
The Moon slowly rotates (as it orbits the Earth) and the area of the Moon that is in sunlight changes, but it's always just half of the Moon that's lit.
The Moon always shows the same side to us on Earth, because it rotates exactly once every time it orbits us.
As the Moon orbits the Earth, we see different amounts of the Moon's illuminated hemisphere and the Moon appears to change shape.
So, for example we only see the full Moon phase when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun.
Use "related link" below for more details. Click on the link and then click on the heading "Moon Phases Explained".
(Note: There is also a small effect caused by the fact that the Earth and Moon are orbiting the Sun. That means the phases take a bit longer than one Moon orbit of Earth.)
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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Why does the Little Dipper appears to change positions in the night sky?
Because of the rotation of the Earth.
After the New phase the Moon's lighted side appears to grow thicker every night or begins?
waxing
After the half-moon phase the moon's lighted side appears to grow smaller every night or begins to what?
When the moon appears to grow smaller, we say it "wanes". Conversely, when it gets bigger, we say it "waxes".
Why does the moon seem to change its shape every night?
because of the sun the moon changes shapes.
Why is the moon at a different point in the sky every night?
The Moon orbits the Earth, once every 28 days. ( one month(Moonth)). So in the position as seen from a given point and time on Earth will change by 1/28 of circle in one day. (approximately) 12 degrees.
Why does the Little Dipper appears to change positions in the night sky?
Because of the rotation of the Earth.
After the new phase the Moon's light side appears to grow thicker every night or begins?
waxing
After the New phase the Moon's lighted side appears to grow thicker every night or begins?
waxing
What does wax mean in science?
When it appears to be getting bigger every night it is waxing and when it is getting smaller it is waning.
Is there werewolves that change every night?
No, but its fun to have scary things to write stories about.
Will the stars in the night sky change every month?
Yes, by one twelfth.
Why does your child cry on the first night and day of every new term?
The pressure of change.
After the half-moon phase the moon's lighted side appears to grow smaller every night or begins to what?
When the moon appears to grow smaller, we say it "wanes". Conversely, when it gets bigger, we say it "waxes".
Change is the law of life but every change is not a welcome affair?
i think that change is there every where in life seasons change,day changes into night and so on but some changes are within our control if we consider them seriously we can win over them.
What actress appears in both Halloween and prom night?
Jamie Lee Curtis appears in both Halloween & Prom Night.
Do werewolves change every night?
No, only when it's full moon. But it it possible to control your shapeshifting.
Why does the moon seem to change its shape every night?
because of the sun the moon changes shapes.
