Our World: Moon Phases

What causes the phases of the Moon? From New Moon to Full Moon, the Earth-Sun-Moon system is responsible for the Moon's changing phases. Learn more about rotation, revolution and this repeatable pattern using NASA animations.

Discussion and Writing Prompts

1. Based on what you learned in the video, what causes the Moon to appear to change shape throughout the month? Use words and diagrams to explain how the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun create the different phases we see.

2. The Moon's phases follow a predictable cycle. Why is recognizing patterns important in science, and how can understanding the Moon's phases help people make predictions? How could you use observations of the Moon over several weeks to identify a pattern and predict what phase will come next?

Background Information

Grades 3 through 8

• NASA eClips Our World: The Moon’s Impact on Earth (video)

Grades 3 through 12

• NASA eClips Our World: The Stories Moon Rocks Tell (video)
• Lunar and Planetary InstituteThe Myths, the Magic, and the Mysteries of the Universe (webpage)
• Lunary and Planetary Institute We're Going to the Moon -- Moon Posters (webpage)

Grades 4 through 12

• NASA Earth's Moon (webpage)

• NASA Earth's Moon Resources (webpage/interactives)
• NASA's Exploration Campaign: Back to the Moon and on to Mars (webpage)

Grades 6 through 12

• NASA eClips Launchpad: Moon Magic (video)

Activities

Grades K through 8

• NASA Forward to the Moon with Artemis Explorer Activities (pdf)

Grades K through 9

• NASA Moon Phases Make a Moon Phase Calendar and Calculator (webpage)

Grades 3 through 12

• V.A.L.U.E. Bundle: Earth’s Moon (webpage)

• Lunar and Planetary Institute Lunar Phases - A Dance Under the Sun (webpage)
• NASA Tour of Earth's Moon 4K (interactive)
• SpacePlace Make Oreo Moon Phases (webpage)
• NASA Build Your Own Cutout Moon (pdf)

Grades 4 through 12

• Lunar and Planetary Institute Paper Plate Phases - Modeling Lunar Cycles (pdf)
• NASA Moon Phases (webpage)

Grades 5 through 8

• Lunary and Planetary Institute Penny Moon (pdf)

Grades 6 through 8

• Lunary and Planetary Institute Facing the Moon (pdf)