Phases of the Moon

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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.

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What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

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A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase of the Moon where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and is increasing in size, occurring after the New Moon.

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What does it mean when the Moon is in a Waxing phase?

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When the Moon is in a Waxing phase, it means that the illuminated portion of the Moon is increasing, leading up to a Full Moon.

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What is a Full Moon?

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A Full Moon is the phase of the Moon when it is fully illuminated as seen from Earth, occurring when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

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What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

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A Waning Gibbous Moon is the phase that occurs after a Full Moon, where the illuminated portion is decreasing but still more than half.

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What is the significance of the First Quarter Moon?

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The First Quarter Moon is significant because it represents the halfway point between the New Moon and Full Moon, where half of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

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What causes the different phases of the Moon?

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The different phases of the Moon are caused by the angle at which sunlight illuminates the Moon as it orbits the Earth.

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What is a New Moon?

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A New Moon is the phase of the Moon when it is not visible from Earth because the illuminated side is facing away from us.

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What is a Last Quarter Moon?

Back

A Last Quarter Moon is the phase where half of the Moon is illuminated and is decreasing in size, occurring after the Full Moon.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

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A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and is decreasing in size, occurring just before the New Moon.