what causes the moon to go from half to full, full to half?

Question

yeah, this may be an obvious question but i don't know the actual reason.. thanks!
/ did anyone see the lunar eclipse? i missed it :(

Answer 1

It has to do with the angle of the sun (light source), the moon (object being lit), and the earth (where you, the viewer, are). When you look up into the sky and the moon is close to the sunset, you see just a sliver, because the side of the moon that is lit by the sun is mostly away from you. When the moon is way back in the sky, away from the sunset, it is "full", since you can see the whole side of the moon that is lit.

Usually, you can see the rest of the shape of the moon dimly - it is lit by "earthshine" - sunlight reflected off the earth.

Note: the phases of the moon have nothing to do with the earth's shadow on the moon. That is an eclipse, something else entirely.

Answer 2

Obviosuly the moon never looses it shape.
Is all about shadows casted from the sun, passed the earth and onto the moon. When the moon is full, the sun is hitting the moon directly. When the moon is half, part of the Earth is in the way, casting a shadow. When there is no moon, it cannot be seen because of the moon position

Answer 3

The angle the sun shines on it determines on what part we see. If you look closely at a half moon or a cresant, you can see the other dark part of the moon. It's all there of corse!

Answer 4

The amount of the moon you see depends on whether the earth is between the moon and the sun. I haven't seen the eclipse as its too cloudy and snowy....

Answer 5

it depends on the angle of the sun on to what part we see..