The Moon. Motion and phases of the Moon
The online simulations of motion of the Moon on this page will help us to learn more about the rotation and translation movements of the Moon and the four phases of the Moon that are generated as a consequence of these lunar movements.
This Thematic Unit is part of our Earth Sciences collection
STEM OnLine mini dictionary
Apogee
Point in the lunar orbit where the Moon is farthest from the Earth.
Libration
Oscillation of the Moon that allows seeing slightly more than 50% of its surface from Earth.
Lunar Phases
Apparent changes in the visible illuminated portion of the Moon from Earth.
Natural Satellite
Solid celestial body that orbits around a planet of greater mass.
Perigee
Point in the lunar orbit where the Moon is closest to the Earth.
Regolith
Capa de fragmentos de roca y polvo que cubre la superficie sólida de la Luna.
Synchronous Rotation
Phenomenon where the Moon takes the same time to rotate and orbit, always showing the same side.
Synodic Month
Time it takes for the Moon to show the same phase again, approximately 29.5 days.
The Moon
Earth’s only natural satellite that influences tides and stabilizes the Earth’s axis.
What is the Moon
The Moon, the Earth’s only natural satellite, has been the object of fascination and study for thousands of years. With a diameter of approximately 3,474 kilometers, the Moon is about one-fourth the size of the Earth. Its surface is covered with craters, mountains, valleys, and lunar seas, which are flat, dark areas formed by ancient lava flows. The Moon has a significant influence on our planet. Its gravitational forces interact with the Earth and cause tides in the oceans.
Exploration of the Moon
The Moon has been the subject of human exploration. In 1969, the Apollo 11 mission brought the first astronauts to walk on the lunar surface, with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first humans to set foot on the Moon. Over the years, several space missions have conducted scientific investigations on the Moon, collecting samples of lunar rocks and conducting studies on their composition and origin.
Motion of the Moon. Rotation and translation of the Moon
Motion of the Moon is the result, as in the case of the Earth, of the two main motions of rotation and translation of the Moon.
Rotation of the Moon. The Moon rotates on its own axis approximately once every 27.3 days. This is its period of rotation.
Translation of the Moon. At the same time, the Moon orbits the Earth in a similar period of about 27.3 days (sidereal month).
Because the Moon’s rotation and translation periods are nearly equal (a motion called synchronous rotation), the Moon always shows the same side to the Earth, while its opposite side, known as the “hidden side of the Moon,” remains invisible from our perspective.
In addition to the Moon’s rotational and translational motions, the Moon is gradually moving away from the Earth at a rate of about 3.8 centimeters per year due to tidal energy transfer.
STEM OnLine mini dictionary
Apogee
Point in the lunar orbit where the Moon is farthest from the Earth.
Libration
Oscillation of the Moon that allows seeing slightly more than 50% of its surface from Earth.
Lunar Phases
Apparent changes in the visible illuminated portion of the Moon from Earth.
Natural Satellite
Solid celestial body that orbits around a planet of greater mass.
Perigee
Point in the lunar orbit where the Moon is closest to the Earth.
Regolith
Capa de fragmentos de roca y polvo que cubre la superficie sólida de la Luna.
Synchronous Rotation
Phenomenon where the Moon takes the same time to rotate and orbit, always showing the same side.
Synodic Month
Time it takes for the Moon to show the same phase again, approximately 29.5 days.
The Moon
Earth’s only natural satellite that influences tides and stabilizes the Earth’s axis.
Explore the exciting STEM world with our free, online, simulations and accompanying companion courses! With them you’ll be able to experience and learn hands-on. Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in virtual experiences while advancing your education – awaken your scientific curiosity and discover all that the STEM world has to offer!
Simulations of motion of the Moon
Four phases of the Moon I
Only the Sun produces light by itself. The Earth and Moon only reflect the light they receive from the Sun. Because the Earth and Moon are round, areas that receive sunlight appear bright and areas that do not receive sunlight appear dark. Notice in this simulation of motion of the Moon how the illuminated area of the Moon changes as the lunar cycle progresses and the four phases of the moon are generated
.
Four phases of the Moon II
Only the Sun produces light by itself. The Earth and Moon only reflect the light they receive from the Sun. Because the Earth and Moon are round, areas that receive sunlight appear bright and areas that do not receive sunlight appear dark. Observe in this online simulation of motion of the Moon how the four phases of the Moon are generated by changing its position with respect to the source of the light.
Giants of science
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
Isaac Newton
Galileo Galilei
–
Pierre-Simon Laplace
–
Become a giant
The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy
The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations
Our Place in the Universe
Introduction to Deep Earth Science
Our Global Ocean – An Introduction Course
Sensing Planet Earth – From Core to Outer Space
The History of Ancient Environments, Climate, and Life
Professional development for Educators
Support kids’ projects: Programming with Scratch
Classroom Strategies for Inquiry-Based Learning
STEM Outside
Interdisciplinary Teaching with Museum Objects
Giants of science
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
Isaac Newton
Tycho Brahe
–
Léon Foucault
–
Become a giant
The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy
The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations
Our Place in the Universe
Sensing Planet Earth – From Core to Outer Space
Introduction to Deep Earth Science
Sensing Planet Earth – Water and Ice
Our Global Ocean – An Introduction Course
Professional development for Educators
Teach computing: Support SEND learners with computing
Reimagining higher education teaching in the age of AI
Teach computing: Moving from Scratch to Python
Teach teens computing: Functions and algorithms, searching and sorting in Python
Test your knowledge
What characteristics make the Moon a unique natural satellite, and why is its presence fundamental for Earth?
How do the Moon’s phases occur, and what do they reveal about the relative positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun?
If the Moon doesn’t produce its own light, why does it shine so brightly?
Why do we always see the same side of the Moon?
Why isn’t there life on the Moon if it’s so close to Earth?
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