Moon Phases 1 (New/Full/Quarter)

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

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

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What is a Full Moon?

Back

The Full Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, allowing the entire face of the Moon to be illuminated.

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What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

The First Quarter Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and is one quarter of the way through its orbit around the Earth.

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What is a Last Quarter Moon?

Back

The Last Quarter Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated, but the opposite side compared to the First Quarter Moon.

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What does 'waxing' mean in relation to moon phases?

Back

'Waxing' refers to the period when the Moon is increasing in illumination, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

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What does 'waning' mean in relation to moon phases?

Back

'Waning' refers to the period when the Moon is decreasing in illumination, moving from Full Moon to New Moon.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous Moon is a phase where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but it is not yet a Full Moon.

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What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waning Gibbous Moon is a phase where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but it is decreasing towards the Last Quarter.

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How long does it take for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases?

Back

It takes approximately 29.5 days for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases, known as a lunar month.

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What is the significance of the Moon's phases in relation to tides?

Back

The Moon's phases affect the gravitational pull on Earth, which influences the tides; higher tides occur during Full and New Moons.