Lunar Phases

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What are lunar phases?

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Lunar phases are the different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth, caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

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What is a new moon?

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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.

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What is a full moon?

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A full moon occurs when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, allowing the entire illuminated side of the Moon to be visible from Earth.

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What is a waxing crescent?

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A waxing crescent is the phase after a new moon, where a small sliver of the Moon becomes visible, increasing in size.

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What is a waning crescent?

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A waning crescent is the phase after a third quarter, where the visible portion of the Moon is decreasing, appearing as a small sliver.

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What is a first quarter moon?

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A first quarter moon occurs when half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, and it is one quarter of the way through its cycle.

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What is a third quarter moon?

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A third quarter moon occurs when the opposite half of the Moon's surface is illuminated compared to the first quarter, also known as the last quarter.

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What is a waxing gibbous?

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A waxing gibbous is the phase after the first quarter, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated and increasing.

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What is a waning gibbous?

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A waning gibbous is the phase after a full moon, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but decreasing.

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

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