Understanding the Moon

After spending much time observing and researching the moon, I have become more acquainted with the moons cycle and various phases. I have always been fascinated by how the moon changes and moves, but I have never really understood why until now! Through my detailed observations, I now understand that the moons shape and visibility all depends on its location. The moon begins its "new moon" phase when it is positioned directly between the sun and the Earth. This phase is called new moon because the suns light shines only on one side of the moon, leaving the other side dark and not visible from earths view. As the moon rotates around the Earth it grows larger until it reaches the "full moon" phase. The full moon phase takes place when the moon is separated from the sun by the Earth, and all three are aligned. After the moon has reached the "full moon" phase, it gradually becomes smaller again until it reaches the new moon phase. I have been able to actively apply my prior knowledge of the moon to my observations, as I watch how the moon changes from day to day.

Through my daily moon observations, I have learned that the moon cannot be seen on rainy or overcast days, because it is not self illuminated like the sun. We are only able to see the moon from Earth on clear nights, because the moons light is a mere reflection of the sun. As the moon revolves around the Earth, it takes on different shapes, that are also known as phases. The first quarter phase takes place as the moon begins its rotation around the Earth. 

When the moon grows it is referred to as waxing, and when the moon shrinks it is referred to as waning. One thing that I learned recently about the moon is, that from Earth, we always see the same side of the moon. This is because the moon rotates on its axis once per revolution around the Earth. I now know the moon goes through phases and when they occur during its rotation.