Book 8, Question 27 · Video
Why Is There a New Moon You Can’t See?
At new Moon, the Moon is hidden by geometry! The Moon sits roughly between Earth and the Sun, so its lit side faces away from us, and the dark side faces Earth. That makes it nearl
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is there a new Moon you can’t see?
The Big Idea
At new Moon, the Moon is hidden by geometry! The Moon sits roughly between Earth and the Sun, so its lit side faces away from us, and the dark side faces Earth. That makes it nearly invisible!
In the Middle
Step one: the Moon is in the middle. At new Moon, the Moon is roughly between Earth and the Sun. All three are lined up, nearly in a row, like beads on a string.
Lit Side Away
Step two: the lit side faces away. The Sun lights the half of the Moon that faces the Sun. That is the side we cannot see from Earth.
Dark Side to Us
Step three: the dark side faces us. The half facing Earth is in shadow, so it's very dim. Also, the new Moon rises and sets with the Sun, so it is lost in the Sun's glare.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! The Sun is on one side. The Moon is in the middle. Earth is on the other side, seeing the Moon's dark half. That leaves a dark sky with very good star viewing.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! New Moon happens about once a month. New Moon nights are the best for seeing faint stars. A few days later, a thin crescent shows up after sunset. Stargaze with a grown-up, and never look at the Sun.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Mark the next new Moon on a calendar. On that night, with a grown-up, look at the starry sky. Is it darker than usual? Share what you discover with a grown-up.
Outro
New Moon is hidden by geometry. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!