Why does the Moon change shape? - Write up

The Moon appears to change shape over the course of a month due to the phenomenon known as the lunar phases, which are a result of the Moon's orbit around the Earth and the relative positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun. At the planning stage of understanding this celestial event, one would gather knowledge about the fundamental relationships between the Sun, Earth, Moon, and the planets in our solar system. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for exploring the intricate dance that results in the changing lunar visage we observe from Earth.

Moving on to the doing stage, the focus shifts to explaining the movement of the Moon relative to the Sun. As the Moon orbits Earth, different portions of its surface are illuminated by the Sun, creating the phases we see. For instance, when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and Sun, its dark side faces us, leading to the new moon phase. Conversely, when the Earth lies between the Moon and Sun, we see a full moon. The evaluation stage involves assessing our understanding of these concepts and the observational evidence that supports them. This process might include reviewing diagrams, animations, or using observational tools to track the Moon's phases, thereby solidifying one's grasp of why the Moon appears to change shape throughout the month.