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You are here: Homework Help > Science Zone > Day & Night > Moon Phases

The moon orbits the Earth
Remember it takes the Moon almost 28 days to orbit the Earth.

Click on the links below to see an animation illustrating the orbit of the moon around the Earth and the corresponding phases of the Moon as viewed from Earth.

Animation 1

Click here and have a go at the activity to an animation of the moon going around the Earth showing the different phases.

Animation 2

Instructions
1. Wait for the animation to load.
2. Change the point of view to both.
3. Click on the animate button to start the animation.

 To find out why we have night and day click here!

Glossary

Orbit - The path of the Moon around the Earth.

Rotate - The Earth spins around, like a top, about its axis once each day.
Waning
- Shrinking.

Waxing - Growing

Gibbous - Swollen on one side

 Explore the Solar System:

Our Space Page

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icon moon Introduction to phases icon moon Tips for Moon watching
icon moon Shapes of the Moon icon moon Moon around the world
icon moon Time to see each phase icon moon Facts about the Moon
icon moon Moon Calendar 2014 icon moon Moon animation


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All the materials on these pages are free for homework and classroom use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from the author Mandy Barrow.

©Copyright Mandy Barrow 2013

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I teach computers at The Granville School and St. John's Primary School in Sevenoaks Kent.