Moon Phases

Front

What is a waxing crescent moon?

Back

A waxing crescent moon is the phase of the moon that occurs after the new moon and before the first quarter, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated.

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What is a first quarter moon?

Back

A first quarter moon is the phase of the moon where half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the new moon.

Front

What is a full moon?

Back

A full moon is the phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated as seen from Earth, occurring approximately two weeks after the new moon.

Front

What is a third quarter moon?

Back

A third quarter moon is the phase of the moon where the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the first quarter, occurring about three weeks after the new moon.

Front

What is a new moon?

Back

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.

Front

What is a blue moon?

Back

A blue moon refers to the second full moon that occurs in a single calendar month.

Front

What causes the different phases of the moon?

Back

The different phases of the moon are caused by the changing positions of the moon, Earth, and sun, which affect how much of the moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between waxing and waning?

Back

Waxing refers to the moon phases where the illuminated part is increasing, while waning refers to the phases where the illuminated part is decreasing.

Front

What is a gibbous moon?

Back

A gibbous moon is a phase where more than half of the moon is illuminated but it is not yet full.