why is the moon only half but then on other days it is full moon or quater moon?

Answer 1

It is the shadow of the Earth or rather, the part you see is the part that is not in the shadow of the Earth.

The shape the moon appears depends on its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. Depending on the timing, the shadow the Earth casts on the moon will change.

Since the orbits of the moon and earth are constant, astronomers thousands of years ago have been able to predict the shape of the moon depending on the date.

Answer 2

ALL OF THESE ANSWERS ARE WRONG (except johnnie's). i can prove it:

the moon orbits the earth. the only way that the earth would block sunlight going to the moon is if they are lined up perfectly (a lunar eclipse). draw it like i suggest below and you'll understand it more.

the right answer is this:

as the moon orbits the earth, only the part which the light from the sun reaches is visible from earth. so as it moves around the earth, different parts of the moon become visible. if you take a sheet of paper and draw the sun and draw the earth and draw the moon above, below, to the left of, and to the right of the earth, then you will see what i am talking about.

to him ^^ what the heck is the sun's shadow? the sun doesnt have a shadow, dimwit.

Answer 3

First of all you're not an idiot! Those who THINK they know everything are the real idiots.

Take a look at the animation on this website to see how the moon's phases occur ==>http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/astronomy/moonphase.html

There's another animation at this website too ==>http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/projects/data/MoonPhases/index.html
This one is a Java applet so give it time to load and run.

Also, notice that the moon's phases are NOT caused by Earth's shadow falling on the moon as others told you.

Answer 4

It depends on the relative angle between the moon , your position on earth and the sun. An ecclipse is the result of the earths shadow being cast upon the moon

Answer 5

It all depends on the angle of the moon to the sun. The sun lights up the part u see.

Answer 6

Similar reason as the earth being dark at night and light during the day; the sun is shining on part of it as it revolves around the earth. It takes about 1 month to rotate and as it does, the sun is shining on it or not during the month.

Answer 7

wow ur like an absolute idiot.
the moon is always a full complete circle but becuz of the suns shadow, only parts of it is visible sometimes.
der der

Answer 8

Please click on and read the following:

http://www.answers.com/topic/lunar-phase