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!