The phase of the moon is how much of the moon appears to us on Earth to be lit up by the sun. Half of the moon is always lit up by the sun, except during an eclipse, but we only see a portion that’s lit up. This is the phase of the moon. Around once per month, the moon orbits around the Earth. As the moon circles the Earth, we can only see a portion of the lit up side. When we can see 100% of the lit up side, this is a full moon. When we can’t see any of the lit up side, this is called a new moon. As the moon orbits or circles the Earth, the phases change.

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Division 10 demonstrated the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies.  We started with the new moon phase. This is where we can’t see any of the lit up side of the moon. The moon is between us and the sun. As the moon orbits the Earth we can see more and more of the lit up side until finally the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun and we get a full moon. As the moon continues to orbit the Earth we now see less and less of the lit up side.