Moon Phases

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The Full Moon phase occurs when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, making it appear fully round and bright in the night sky.

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What is the First Quarter Moon phase?

Back

The First Quarter Moon phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, typically appearing as a half-circle.

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What is the Waning Gibbous Moon phase?

Back

The Waning Gibbous Moon phase occurs after the Full Moon, when more than half of the Moon is illuminated but decreasing in size.

Front

What does it mean when the Moon is waxing?

Back

When the Moon is waxing, it is in a phase where it is growing or getting bigger, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

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What is the Third or Last Quarter Moon phase?

Back

The Third or Last Quarter Moon phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated but is decreasing in size, appearing as a half-circle opposite the First Quarter.

Front

What are the main phases of the Moon?

Back

The main phases of the Moon are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

How long does it take for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases?

Back

It takes approximately 29.5 days for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases, known as a lunar month.

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What is the difference between waxing and waning phases of the Moon?

Back

Waxing phases refer to the Moon growing in illumination (from New Moon to Full Moon), while waning phases refer to the Moon decreasing in illumination (from Full Moon to New Moon).

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth as the illuminated side faces away.

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What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

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A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase that occurs after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated and grows larger.