Phases of the Moon

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What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The Full Moon phase occurs when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, making it appear fully round. This phase happens approximately once a month.

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What is the Waxing Crescent phase?

Back

The Waxing Crescent phase is the period after the New Moon when a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated, growing larger each night.

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What is the First Quarter phase?

Back

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

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What is the Waning Gibbous phase?

Back

The Waning Gibbous phase is when more than half of the Moon is illuminated but decreasing in size, occurring after the Full Moon.

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What is the Waning Crescent phase?

Back

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

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

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

Front

How often does the Moon complete its phases?

Back

The Moon completes its phases approximately every 29.5 days, known as a lunar month.

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What causes the different phases of the Moon?

Back

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

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What is the difference between Waxing and Waning?

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Waxing refers to the Moon's illumination increasing (from New to Full), while Waning refers to the illumination decreasing (from Full to New).

Front

What is a Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Gibbous Moon is when more than half of the Moon is illuminated but not yet full. It can be either Waxing Gibbous or Waning Gibbous.