Moon Phases

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

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

Front

What is the First Quarter phase?

Back

The First Quarter phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, typically one week after the New Moon.

Front

What is the Waxing Gibbous phase?

Back

The Waxing Gibbous phase occurs after the First Quarter, when more than half of the Moon is illuminated but it is not yet a Full Moon.

Front

What is the Waning Crescent phase?

Back

The Waning Crescent phase occurs after the Last Quarter, when less than half of the Moon is illuminated and decreasing in visibility.

Front

What is the Last Quarter phase?

Back

The Last Quarter phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, typically one week after the Full Moon.

Front

What is the Waxing Crescent phase?

Back

The Waxing Crescent phase occurs after the New Moon, when a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated and is increasing in visibility.

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What causes the different phases of the Moon?

Back

The different phases of the Moon are caused by the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which affect how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is the difference between waxing and waning phases?

Back

Waxing phases refer to the Moon increasing in illumination (New Moon to Full Moon), while waning phases refer to the Moon decreasing in illumination (Full Moon to New Moon).