Phases of the Moon

Things to remember

• When we observe the sky daily for some days, we find that the moon changes its shape every day. It is called phases of the moon
• When the moon forms an angle of 0⁰ from the plane of earth’s orbit, the whole dark part of the moon faces towards the earth and hence any part of the moon is not seen i.e. is a new moon(m1).
• After 24 hours, when the moon forms an angle 12⁰ to the plane of its orbit, a little bright part of the moon faces towards the earth and a minimum part of the moon is seen bright. It is called waxing crescent (m2).
• When moon forms an angle of 180⁰ from the plane, the moon is seen completely round, which is called full moon. When moon forms an angle of 384⁰, very little part of the moon is seen in the sky and it is called waning crescent (m8).