Moon Phases

The phases of the moon are the different appearances of the moon as it orbits Earth, including New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

A New Moon is the phase when the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from Earth, making it invisible to us.

A Full Moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, and its entire illuminated side is visible from Earth.

Waxing refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is increasing, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Waning refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is decreasing, moving from Full Moon to New Moon.

A Waxing Gibbous is the phase of the moon when more than half of the moon is illuminated and is increasing in illumination.

A Waning Gibbous is the phase of the moon when more than half of the moon is illuminated but is decreasing in illumination.

A First Quarter Moon is the phase when half of the moon is illuminated and is the first stage after the New Moon.

A Last Quarter Moon is the phase when half of the moon is illuminated but is decreasing in illumination, occurring after the Full Moon.

A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon when a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and is increasing in illumination.