INTRODUCTION
In this topic, we are going to show you how to build a moon phases model for your science project or exhibitions.
Moon Phases Explanation
Phases of the Moon means different ways moon looks from the earth over a span of about a month.
The moon revolves around the earth and half of the moon that faces the sun will be lit up.
Phases of the moon are different shapes of the lit portion of the moon that can be seen from earth.
Every phase repeats itself after 29.5 days. Always the same half of the moon faces earth due to tidal locking.
Hence phases will always occur over the same half of the moon’s surface.
The angle of the moon to earth is called phase and it appears differently every day.
Moon has eight phases.
New moon is when we cannot see the moon as we look at unlit half of the moon.
In this phase, the moon is directly between earth and sun. Waxing crescent moon is when the moon looks like crescent and the crescent increases (“waxes”) in size from one day to the next.
This phase can be seen only in the west.
First quarter moon (or a half moon) is when only half lit portion of the moon is visible following the waxing crescent phase. This comes a week after a new moon.
Waxing gibbous moon is when more than half lit portion of the moon is seen and shape increases in size from one day to next.
Full moon is when we can see the entire lit portion of the moon. This occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun.
A waning gibbous moon is when more than half of the lit portion of the moon can be seen and shape decreases in size from one day to the next. It occurs between the full moon and third quarter phases.
Last quarter moon is when half lit portion of the moon is visible after the waning gibbous phase.
The waning crescent moon is when the moon looks like crescent and it decreases in size from one day to next.
How to make An Moon Phases model Step by Step Video
In this video, we will show you the following steps and items that can be used to build moon phases model at home by taking help freely from your parents.
Materials Used to Make the Moon Phases model
- White and Color Chart Paper
- Yellow color balls
- Bangle to make circles
- Color Paints
- Card Board
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
- Hot Glue Gun
- Waste Boxes to get cardboard
- Scissor to Cut
Prepare for Science Fair Questions & Answers – Moon Phases
- What are the 8 moon phases?
8 moon phases are New moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter and Waxing Crescent. - What does the phase of the moon symbolize?
It signifies wisdom, intuition, birth, death, reincarnation and spiritual connection. Knowledge and energy of the moon’s cycle help us to better connect to ourselves. - How phases of the moon occur?
Different phases of the moon depend on its position with respect to the sun and earth. As the moon revolves around the earth we can see bright parts of the moon’s surface at different angles.
Conclusions
Revolution of the moon around the earth and its exposure to sun leads to different phases of the moon. Each phase repeats after every 29.5 days.