Lunar Cycle and Seasons

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What is the lunar cycle?

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The lunar cycle is the sequence of phases the Moon goes through as it orbits the Earth, taking about 29.5 days to complete.

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What are the main phases of the Moon?

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The main phases of the Moon 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 is the phase when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from the Earth.

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What is a Full Moon?

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A Full Moon occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the entire illuminated side of the Moon is visible from Earth.

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What is a Waxing Crescent?

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

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What is a Waning Crescent?

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

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What is a First Quarter Moon?

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A First Quarter Moon occurs when half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, and it is one quarter of the way through its cycle.

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What is a Last Quarter Moon?

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A Last Quarter Moon occurs when half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, but the opposite side compared to the First Quarter.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous?

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

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What is a Waning Gibbous?

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