Phases of the Moon

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase is 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 causes the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are caused by the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which affects how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase before the New Moon, where the illuminated part of the Moon is decreasing.

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and is one week after the New Moon.

Front

What is a Third Quarter Moon?

Back

A Third Quarter Moon occurs when the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, and it is one week after the Full Moon.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous Moon is the phase after the First Quarter, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but not yet full.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

Back

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

Front

How long does it take for the Moon to complete all its phases?

Back

It takes approximately 29.5 days for the Moon to complete all its phases, known as a lunar month.