🌙 Primary Maths & Science Games · Grade 3 science · Sun, Earth and Moon
Moon Phases and the Lunar Month
The Moon makes no light of its own and never really shrinks: the Sun always lights half of it, and as it orbits the Earth we see more or less of that half. Drag the Moon first, then try the levels.
- Free, no sign-up
- Ad-free play area
- Tablet friendly
- Parent mode
- A4 worksheet
- 5 levels
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How to play
- In Explore, drag the Moon on its orbit or drag the lunar day; tap “Orbit” to play or jump to new, first quarter, full or last quarter.
- The side picture shows the Moon as seen from Earth (northern hemisphere); readouts give the phase name, how much is lit, moonrise and when it is highest in the south.
- Tap “Today” to estimate today’s lunar day and tonight’s phase from the computed new moon in Beijing time (rarely one day off).
- Five levels: name the phase → place the Moon on its orbit → lunar day and phase → why phases happen → when and where to look.
Curriculum unit
Primary science, grade 3: the Sun, the Earth and the Moon, the pattern of the Moon’s phases (Jiaoke science, grade 3 volume 2, unit 3).
For parents and teachers
Mistakes are grouped as phase names, lunar day and phase, waxing vs waning (left and right swapped), the Moon’s place on its orbit, new vs full positions, why phases happen, and when and where the Moon is seen. The most common misconception is “phases are the Earth’s shadow”; show where the shadow is at first quarter.
FAQ
Why does the Moon change shape?
The Moon makes no light; the Sun always lights half of it. As the Moon orbits the Earth we see more or less of that lit half, giving new moon, quarters and full moon.
Which phase is on lunar day 1 and day 15?
Day 1 is new moon (almost invisible), day 7–8 first quarter (right half lit), day 15–16 full moon and day 22–23 last quarter (left half lit).
Are the phases caused by the Earth’s shadow?
No. The Earth’s shadow on the Moon is a lunar eclipse, which only happens sometimes at full moon. Phases come from the changing positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon.