Moon Phases

Front

What is a Moon Phase?

Back

A Moon Phase is the shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth, which changes in a cyclical pattern over approximately 29.5 days.

Front

What are the main Moon Phases?

Back

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

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.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, allowing the entire face of the Moon to be illuminated.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

A Waxing Crescent is the phase after a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon becomes visible, increasing in size.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous is the phase after the First Quarter, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated and increasing.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

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

Front

What comes after a Waning Crescent?

Back

After a Waning Crescent, the next phase is the New Moon.

Front

What comes after a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

After a Waxing Gibbous, the next phase is the Full Moon.