Is it because the part that is illuminated by sunlight is different or is it because the part that is reflected by the moon is different or is it both?
Explain it better if you think you don't understand my explanation.
2006-08-16 21:43:05 · 6 answers · asked by Andrea 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Only half of the moon can be illuminated by the sun at any one time - obviously half of the moon is facing the sun, and the other half is in the dark.
The phases occur based on how much of the illuminated section we can see. When the moon is approximately between the sun and the earth we can only see the back, dark side of the sun, and so we see a new moon. When the moon is on the other side of the planet (ie behind the earth) we can see all of the illuminated side and see a full moon.
If you want to see how the phases in between are caused, then take a ping-pong ball. Colour one half of it black and then rotate it - you will be able to see all the phases.
Note - the phases are nothing to do with the shadow the earth casts on the moon. That is a different and much rarer event called a lunar eclipse.
2006-08-16 21:56:47 · answer #1 · answered by robcraine 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Moon phase occurs because of the relative changes in the position of the Earth and the Moon as they both revolve around the Sun. We can only see the part of the Moon facing us that recieves sunlight and the other part is in darkness.
2006-08-16 22:15:16 · answer #2 · answered by Astronomy Freak 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the sunlight bending around the earth to illuminate the moon. The moon changes cause of the different seasons.
I think anyway :-)
2006-08-16 21:50:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
an easy explanation:
1st quarter: right 1/2 of the moon is lit
2nd quarter: Full moon
3rd Quarter: Left side of the moon is lit
4th Quarter: New Moon (Not visable)
There is more to the moon, it's simple, easy to understand, and interesting. I used to work rotating shifts, so me and the moon are old friends. One night the full moon was setting, it was pink, the more it set, the redder it got, it was the most beautiful moon set that I had ever seen, I mean this was'nt pink IT was red (probably due to atmospheric conditions) cars were pulling over at 4am to watch this rare show of nature, AWESOME !
2006-08-16 21:52:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is due to the shadow of the Earth on the moon and the relative position of the Earth with the moon & Sun
2006-08-16 21:48:59 · answer #5 · answered by ColdWarrior 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the earth between the moon and the sun, along with the moon orbit around the earth, and earth orbit around the sun. It is all just in perfect one month syncronicity.
2006-08-17 01:03:02 · answer #6 · answered by Ron B. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋