Question

why does the moon have phases​

Answer 1

Answer:

As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight (5). The Moon has phases because it orbits Earth, which causes the portion we see illuminated to change. The Moon takes 27.3 days to orbit Earth, but the lunar phase cycle (from new Moon to new Moon) is 29.5 days.

Answer 2

The moon moves through phases as seen in the night sky, shifting from a full moon to a crescent, half or gibbous moon, or even no moon at all - a new moon.

Explanation:

• The shifting angle at which the illuminated face of the moon can be seen from Earth causes these phases.

• The moon moves around the Earth but does not rotate on its own axis, resulting in these angles.

• As a result, when a full moon isn't visible, it indicates that a section of the far side is illuminated but that we can't see it from Earth.

• The moon returns to its original location after 27.3 days, having completed one revolution of the Earth, and the cycle begins again.

• The cycle starts with a new moon, when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, and the far side is lit up, making it impossible to see the moon from Earth.