Question of the Day: What makes the moon look different shapes?

On our moonlight snowshoe trek tonight in Quarry Park, the question came up about how we see the moon in different shapes, and what causes those shapes. We (well, at least a few of us - not naming any names) thought the shadow of the Earth made the moon look different shapes. But, according to our friend google, Brody was right. The different shapes of the moon are not caused by the shadow of the Earth. According to Yahoo! Answers: The Moon's phases are caused by the angle at which sunlight falls on the Moon, and have absolutely nothing to do with the Earth or the Earth's shadow. I don't know why Brody has to be so smart.

Apparently the only time the Earth's shadow has an effect on the moon is during a lunar eclipse.

Here's a website that talks all about the moon's phases.

So, I hate to admit it but Brody was right this time ;) We'll see about next time!

Kiting on Little Rock Lake MN

Brody said...
Quick note: we went kiting yesterday on Little Rock Lake. FUN! The winds were irregular and knocked us around. Grant took the leap of faith without even having to activate the faith button. The wind punched the kite, the kite yanked him and he went from step step step to a 30 foot downwinder, landed like hand grenade and blew a Grant sized crater into the lake. I missed it, but the tracks in the snow told the funniest story.
February 24, 2010 8:03 PM

Brody said...
Quick amendment to the previous quick note. Angie was with too. The crater occurrence has a stranglehold on my memory. So, three of us total. I got to try my new kite. Ang, well she just down right lit it up. She had a couple great reaches. You could hear her yahooing from across the lake. Bable be bo ba ding bat dingle.

work

Angie I don't know why you didn't make a video like this at work

hello?

umm hello ... this is your blog calling ... is anyone out there?