The Fascinating Grey Asteroid with deep Craters

In Week 6 of Term 2 our class focussed on how to write great explanations.

We wrote about the Moon’s different phases as we are in the middle of learning about Planet Earth and Beyond. Learning how to write a great explanation will help us with our self-guided topics in a few weeks time. Here is my writing, after I have self-assessed and peer-assessed my work.

WHY DOES THE MOON LOOK DIFFERENT EVERY NIGHT?

Introduction

The fascinating grey asteroid with deep craters (the Moon) has eight lunar phases, which means that the Moon changes each and every night. However I will explain the truth behind why the Moon looks different every non- illuminated night.

Moon’s orbit around the earth

As the Moon orbits the Earth, we either see less or more the illuminated side of it.This is because the Moon is orbiting Earth at a tilt while the Earth revolves around the Sun. Some people believe that the shapes are shadows from the Earth,  but the truth is that it is caused by the reflection of the Sun’s light, so that is the amount of light we see while the Moon is orbiting the Earth. Interesting Fact, the Moon rotates at roughly the same speed as the Earth itself.

Lunar Phases of the Moon

Phases of the Moon are shapes that change each and every night. The first phases of the Moon is called New Moon where it is completely unilluminated. The second phases of the Moon is called waxing crescent, the word waxing means getting bigger or going out. After that the next phases is called first quarter, meaning it is half covered. Soon after that the phases is called Waxing gibbous, when it is slightly more over that a quarter. The next phase is called full Moon when it is precisely illuminated. Then it is waning gibbous, the meaning of that word waning means getting smaller or coming in. Then it’s last quarter just like the first quarter. Last of all the last phase is waning crescent. Then it is goes in a cycle.

Time,time, time

Now we got down the lunar phases down and the Moon’s orbit, now we have to talk about the Moon to catch up to it’s orbit. For the Moon to to complete its orbit around the Earth it takes two more days for it to be in line with the Sun and the Earth. It takes about 27.3 days for the Moon to complete its orbit around the Earth.

Overall, now that you know why the Moon changes its appearance each and every night. If you would

still like to know about the extraordinary Moon, visit this link. I hope this explanation has encouraged you to write your own. Did you know that our Moon is the fifth largest