As the moon orbits the Earth, the sun's light shines on it at different angles. This causes the different parts of the moon to be lit up, and the amount of the moon that we see from Earth changes.
The phases of the moon start with a new moon. This is when the moon is between the sun and Earth, so we cannot see it from Earth.
The new moon is followed by a waxing crescent moon. This is when the moon is starting to move away from the sun, and we can see a small crescent of light.
The waxing crescent moon then becomes a first quarter moon. This is when the moon is at a right angle to the sun, and we can see half of the moon.
The first quarter moon then becomes a waxing gibbous moon. This is when the moon is continuing to move away from the sun, and we can see more than half of the moon.
The waxing gibbous moon then becomes a full moon. This is when the moon is opposite the sun, and we can see the entire moon.
The full moon then becomes a waning gibbous moon. This is when the moon is starting to move closer to the sun, and we can see less than half of the moon.
The waning gibbous moon then becomes a third quarter moon. This is when the moon is at a right angle to the sun, and we can see half of the moon.
The third quarter moon then becomes a waning crescent moon. This is when the moon is continuing to move closer to the sun, and we can see a small crescent of light.
The waning crescent moon then becomes a new moon, and the cycle starts again.
