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Why do we see different phases of the Moon?

Why do we see different phases of the Moon?

The phase of the moon we see depends on where the Earth is relative to the Moon and Sun. When the Moon is between the Earth and Sun, the surface of the moon that is lit up is not facing us, so we can’t see the moon at all.

Why can you not see the Moon during the new moon?

Why can’t we see the moon during the new moon phase? The side facing the Earth is not receiving any sunlight.

When do we see a full moon on Earth?

When the surface of the side of the moon facing Earth is completely illuminated, we see a full moon .When none of the surface is illuminated and we can’t see the moon at all, the phase is a new moon.

Which is the final phase of the lunar cycle?

Waning Crescent Moon. This is the final stage of the lunar cycle. This phase starts when the sun illuminates less than half of the moon and continues on until the New Moon phase. During this phase, we can also see the effect of “Earthshine”, just like we can during the new moon phase.

What happens to the Moon when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon?

When the Moon is between the Earth and Sun, the surface of the moon that is lit up is not facing us, so we can’t see the moon at all. This is the new moon. When the Earth is between the Moon and Sun, the Sun’s light bounces off the surface of the moon and the moon is completely lit up as seen from earth.

Why is the Moon in a different place every night?

So the moon’s motion has two parts to it. It looks like it’s moving around the earth once per day along with everything else, but in addition to that it is actually moving around the earth once per month. That is what makes it move to a different place on the sky.

When do we start to see less of the Moon?

But following the night of each full moon, as the Moon orbits around Earth, we start to see less of the Moon lit by the Sun. Eventually, the Moon reaches a point in its orbit when we don’t see any of the Moon illuminated. At that point, the far side of the Moon is facing the Sun.