OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaA crescent moon is when you can see just a thin, curved sliver of the Moon in the sky. It looks like a glowing banana or a smile! The crescent moon is one of the most beautiful sights in the night sky.
A crescent moon happens when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, or almost between them. Only a small edge of the Moon’s face gets lit up by sunlight, so we see just a thin slice. There is a waxing crescent when the Moon is growing bigger, and a waning crescent when it is getting smaller before disappearing into a new moon.
- Sometimes during a crescent moon, you can faintly see the dark part of the Moon too.
- This is called “earthshine” because it is light from Earth reflecting onto the Moon!
- The crescent moon is often shown in art and on flags around the world.
- You can see a crescent moon best just after sunset or just before sunrise.
