Moon phases and Tides

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What is the Full Moon?

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The Full Moon is the phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated by the sun, appearing as a complete circle in the sky.

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What is the New Moon?

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The 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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How many phases does the moon go through?

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The moon goes through 8 distinct phases in a lunar cycle.

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What is a Waning Gibbous?

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

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What is a Waxing Gibbous?

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

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What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

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

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What is a Waxing Crescent?

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A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs just after a New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and increasing.

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What is a lunar eclipse?

Back

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, causing the Earth's shadow to cover the moon.

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What is a solar eclipse?

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A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light partially or completely.

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What causes tides?

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Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans.