---
title: "The Moon's Orbit"
description: "Know that the Moon orbits Earth approximately once a month, that it does not make its own light but reflects sunlight, and that its changing appearance (phases) is caused by how much of the sunlit sid"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-moons-orbit-mt_15FduGRf5c
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-moons-orbit-mt_15FduGRf5c.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# The Moon's Orbit

Know that the Moon orbits Earth approximately once a month, that it does not make its own light but reflects sunlight, and that its changing appearance (phases) is caused by how much of the sunlit side we can see from Earth

Subject: Science · Area: Space Exploration · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-moons-orbit-mt_15FduGRf5c

## Ready when they can

- State that the Moon orbits Earth roughly once every 28-30 days
- Explain that the Moon reflects sunlight rather than producing its own light
- Describe how Moon phases happen: we see different amounts of the lit-up side as the Moon orbits Earth

## Lesson: The Moon's Orbit

The Moon is always moving. It circles all the way around Earth about once a month, which takes about 28 to 30 days.

*(drawing: The Moon travels this path around Earth. A full trip takes about 30 days.)*

The Moon does not glow on its own. Sunlight bounces off it, the same way light bounces off a mirror or a shiny ball, and that bounced light is what you see.

**Example.** You already know the Moon can look like a full circle, a half circle, or a thin sliver. That happens because the Moon keeps orbiting Earth. As it moves, sunlight lights up a different part of the side facing you, so the shape you see keeps changing.

**Tip.** The whole Moon is round every single night. You are only seeing the part that is both facing Earth and lit up by the Sun.

**Recap.** The Moon orbits Earth about once a month, always shines by reflecting sunlight, and its changing shape comes from how much of that sunlit side we can see.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Moon Phases](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/moon-phases-mt_ByXgbTld6R)
- [Earth's Spin & Orbit](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-spin-and-orbit-mt_w2xiMNkyyX)

## Opens up

- [Gravity Pulls Things Down](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/gravity-pulls-things-down-mt_Y2WcY2lOTK)