If a planet has a moon, must that moon go through the same phases that Earth's moon displays?

Question

I'm doing my Astronomy homework and I'm lost. Someone explain!

Answer 1

No, not really. It's very possible for a planet's moon to have an orbit around the planet that's so inclined to the planet's equator that, for example, it would never have a new moon or full moon phase.

Answer 2

of course, but it all depends on your line of sight from where you're looking at. If you were standing on the moon, you would see the earth has the same phases that we see of the moon on planet earth.

Answer 3

Not necessairly.  It depends on the planet's size, measure of gravitational pull / release---as well as the size and speed the satellite moon planet orbits it's host one.

I'd say if there's another Earth twin ( and I believe one exists ), it'd have to exist with a very similar satellite moon that carries ALL the same or near-same measurements as so on our Earth.

Answer 4

If it is a natural moon, yes. If it is a captured moon, and if its path is not on the plane of the ecliptic, then no.

Answer 5

It's going to depend on the orbit and the amount of spin on the planet.

Answer 6

it's not necessary