Lunar Phases

Front

What is a lunar phase?

Back

A lunar phase is the appearance of the Moon as seen from Earth, which changes in a regular cycle due to the Moon's position relative to the Earth and the Sun.

Front

What are the main lunar phases?

Back

The main lunar phases 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 occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

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

Front

What is the First Quarter phase?

Back

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

Front

What is the Last Quarter phase?

Back

The Last Quarter phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated but the opposite side compared to the First Quarter, occurring about a week after the Full Moon.