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The Moon's crescent always faces towards the Sun. On days when you see the crescent Moon, point your finger towards the Sun, and slowly move it across the sky towards the Moon taking as short a path as you can. Note how your finger always crosses the illuminated part of the Moon first.
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Key Points
The crescent's lit side always points to the Sun.
Key Points / Good Practices
- Do this safely without looking straight at the Sun.
- Trace the shortest path from the Sun to the Moon.
- Your finger crosses the bright side of the Moon first.
- This shows the Moon shines by reflecting sunlight.
- The line joining the crescent tips marks the Moon's diameter.
- Record your observation with a simple sketch.
The crescent's bright side always faces the Sun, proving the Moon reflects sunlight.
