Moon Phases

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

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The phases of the moon are the different appearances of the moon as seen from Earth, which include 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

The moon takes about 29.5 days to complete one full cycle of phases.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the phase of the moon when it is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase of the moon when it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, fully illuminated and visible.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

A Waning Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs after the Last Quarter and before the New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated.

Front

What is the difference between Waxing and Waning phases?

Back

Waxing phases are when the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing, while Waning phases are when the illuminated portion is decreasing.

Front

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, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Front

What is the significance of the moon's phases in relation to tides?

Back

The moon's phases affect the gravitational pull on Earth, influencing the tides; higher tides occur during the Full Moon and New Moon phases.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous is the phase of the moon that occurs after the First Quarter and before the Full Moon, where more than half of the moon is illuminated.

Front

What is a Last Quarter moon phase?

Back

The Last Quarter moon phase occurs when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the Full Moon.