Eli5 how moon phases work

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Are the phases of the moon created by the earth’s shadow? And, if so, how can i see the moon in its phase during the daytime?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

>Are the phases of the moon created by the earth’s shadow?

No, *lunar eclipses* are created by the Earth’s shadow. Lunar phases are just the result of the Moon being a sphere lit from a single direction, and the direction of the light changing over time as the Moon circles the Earth. Notice that the illuminated side of the Moon is always oriented towards the Sun, and that it’s always a gibbous or crescent Moon during the day; when the Moon is on the sunward side of the Earth, we see more of its shadowed side, and when it’s on the spaceward side of Earth, we see more of its bright side.

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