Phases of the Moon Experiment

For this experiment, you will need:

• a flashlight, to represent the Sun
• a small ball on a stick, to represent the Moon
• a dark room

Steps:

1. Have a friend hold the flashlight so that it is just below your eyes (not shining into them). If you don't have a friend available to help, you can place the flashlight on a shelf.
2. Your head represents the Earth. Stand so that you are facing the flashlight. Hold the Moon on a stick with an outstretched arm at eye level. This represents a new Moon. How much of the lit-up part of the Moon can you see?
3. Rotate counterclockwise (left) 45 degrees. Observe the lit area of the Moon again. This is a waxing crescent Moon. Waxing means it is getting bigger each night. The crescent is the shape that is lit up.
4. Rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise again. This is a first quarter Moon.
5. Rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise again. This is a waxing gibbous Moon. Gibbous means a shape between a half-circle and a full circle.
6. Rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise again. This is a full Moon.
7. Rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise again. This is a waning gibbous Moon. Waning means it is getting smaller each night.
8. Rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise again. This is a last quarter Moon.
9. Rotate 45 degrees counterclockwise again. This is a waning crescent Moon.
10. Rotate 45 degrees one final time. You have now completed the circle and are back to a new Moon. Each cycle of the Moon takes 28 days.

In the next section, you will find resources to learn more about the Moon and its effects on tides.

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