The moon is visible to us because it reflects the sun's light.
When the moon is not visible to observers on Earth, it is likely in its new moon phase. During this time, the side of the moon facing Earth is not illuminated by the sun, making it appear dark and invisible from our perspective.
The term for the moon when the whole disc is visible from Earth is "full moon." During a full moon, the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned in a way that the illuminated side of the moon is facing the Earth.
When the side of the moon facing Earth is dark and not visible, it is called the "new moon" phase. During this phase, the sunlit side of the moon is facing away from Earth, making it appear dark from our perspective.
A full moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, which happens approximately every 29.5 days. This phase is characterized by the entire illuminated side of the moon being visible from Earth.
The moon has more visible craters on its surface compared to Earth because it lacks an atmosphere to protect it from impacting objects. Earth's atmosphere burns up most small asteroids and meteoroids before they can reach the surface, resulting in fewer visible impact craters. Additionally, the moon's lack of geological activity means that its craters remain preserved over time.
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is called a full moon. This occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned with the Earth in the middle, causing the moon to be fully illuminated by the sun.
Full moon
Full Moon
When the moon is not visible to observers on Earth, it is likely in its new moon phase. During this time, the side of the moon facing Earth is not illuminated by the sun, making it appear dark and invisible from our perspective.
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is said to be at its full moon phase. This occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned in a straight line, with the Earth in between the sun and moon. The full moon appears as a complete circle and is the brightest phase of the moon.
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
When the moon is fully visible to observers on Earth, it is in a phase known as the "full moon." During this phase, the entire illuminated side of the moon faces Earth, allowing us to see its surface details clearly. This occurs roughly once a month and is the result of the moon being positioned directly opposite the sun in relation to Earth. The full moon often appears bright and round in the night sky, captivating observers with its beauty.
The moon is between the sun and earth and reflects light back toward the sun
Moonrise is the time when the moon appears above the horizon and becomes visible to observers on Earth. Moonset is the time when the moon disappears below the horizon and is no longer visible to observers on Earth. These events occur once a day, just like sunrise and sunset.
When no moon is visible in the night sky, it is referred to as a "new moon." This phase occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making the illuminated side of the moon face away from us. As a result, the moon is essentially invisible to observers on Earth during this time.
This is known as a full moon, which occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, with its fully illuminated side facing us. Full moons happen roughly once a month as the moon completes its orbit around Earth.