Why Do We See Different Phases of the Moon?

Learn the names and order of the phase of the moon! The Phases of the moon are caused because the moon is always half lit by the sun, and we see the half-lit moon at different angles as it orbits the Earth. Watch the video for more details :)

For teachers, I’ve developed an activity on the phases of the moon with a worksheet, including the names for the moon’s phases and order of the moon’s phases. Your students can use this worksheet to simulate the moon’s phases and learn why we see different phases of the moon.

Being able to act out the moon’s orbit around the Earth and observe what causes the phases will help them in their understanding of the phases of the moon.

To download the free phases of the moon worksheet, click the link below, and if you find it helpful, please like this video or subscribe to my channel. Thank you!

[josenataren]

Of all the videos I have watched to try and understand the phases of the moon, yours has been the clearest and free of so much talk that can make these phenomena so confusing. Great video. Thanks for explaining!!.

[hillhill]

0:00 Intro
1:24 New Moon
2:25 Waxing Crescent
2:51 First Quarter
3:18 Waxing Gibbous
4:08 Full Moon
4:42 Waning Gibbous
4:56 Last Quarter
5:23 Waning Crescent
6:01 Outro

[darciedixon]

This is so amazing!!!! I can't wait for the next video!!!

[alistairlathe]

Great video! Even as an older novice star gazer I still learned something. You have a great speaking voice by the way - keep up the videos!

[andreamartin]

Thank you, Mr. Harris. You made what is quite complicated understandable and introduce key terms with clarity and concision.

[kylere]

Very well put together! Will show this to my 8 and 11 year old kids.

[Abcdefghijklmn]

Very nice Explanation with a great humorous touch 😂...thank u so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[toscanoplaster]

This is pretty good, only thing missing are the changes in the moons positions rising and setting .

[prachisrj]

Thank you so much for explaining in such simple and clear way. Was really smooth! Kudos to the efforts, more energy to you :)

[FlyingSavannahs]

Well done with the rotating aspects of the earth and moon! I am looking for a video that demonstrates that having the same face of the moon pointing to Earth means that the moon must be rotating on its axis as well as revolving around the Earth. This _is_ that video!!!

cheers!

[bpzpnqc]

thank you im in 5th grade and it is the most undertanding vid.

[datsmay]

I have a question: at full moon, how can one side of the moon be in daylight when the earth is between the sun and the moon?

[nancyleefenicchia]

I love the video and the worksheet for the phases of the moon. But, I have 2 questions about the Phases of the Moon worksheet answer key and the challenge question. On the worksheet answer key the new moon and full moon seem to be colored incorrectly and on the challenge question number 1 I think it should be 1) What is it called when the shadow of the Earth falls on the moon? Am I right or do I have it backwards? Please let me know. Thank you.

[fikayo.t]

Have a good day sir and thank you very much

[jsjyesi]

Good day to you Mr. Harris! I'm so impressed how the presentation goes. I humbly ask your permission sir to use the presentation in my lesson.

[tytyplays]

Do you like and reply to all comments???

[JjBluBerry]

but when it’s waxing it’s on the left side not the right

[V_thouArtcreatiVe]

I think I'm still confused because I recently saw a total solar eclipse and the size of the moon seems to change AND the light reflected off the moon changes...

[abbystorm]

What about when the sun & moon are in the sky both at the same time, on opposite sides.. Why are we still only able to see parts of the moon? 🌙

[Slash]

How is it possible that I've seen a crescent moon high in the night sky then?