1. Phases of the Moon The Moon and Sun are in synchronous rotation- that means both rotate at the same rate. So the same side faces the Earth at all times. Notice that while half the Moon faces Earth, we SEE the appearance of the Moon, called the phases, in 8 different ways. They appear in this order: 1.New Moon 2.Waxing Crescent 3.First Quarter 4.Waxing Gibbous 5.Full Moon 6.Waning Gibbous 7.Last Quarter (3 rd Quarter) 8.Waning Crescent

2. A Different Way of Looking at the Phases in Order A good way to remember the phases is the Waxing Moons have the shadow on the LEFT. Waning Moons have the shadow in the RIGHT. Waning literally means getting smaller, so the Moon appears to get smaller each night.

3. Here is a good simulation to summarize http://mrscienceut.net/pha sesofthemoonwebquest.ht ml http://mrscienceut.net/pha sesofthemoonwebquest.ht ml

4. Phases of the Moon and Tides Phases of the Moon are related to the Tides. There are High Tides and Low Tides. The Earth experiences 2 High tides and 2 Low Tides each day. High Tides occur when the Earth, Sun, and Moon are aligned.. This happens during the Full Moon and the New Moon. Low Tides occur when the Earth, Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other. This happens during the First and Third Quarter Moons.

5. Here is a simulation to summarize what we have just seen. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l37ofe9haMU https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l37ofe9haMU https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=doShiObBDSk https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=doShiObBDSk The 1 st one is brief. The second shows more detail about Tides.