Lunar Phases

Front

What is the Last Quarter Moon phase?

Back

The Last Quarter Moon, also known as the Third Quarter, occurs when the Moon is three-quarters of the way through its orbit around Earth. It appears as a half-circle, with the left side illuminated (in the Northern Hemisphere).

Front

What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase that occurs after the Last Quarter Moon and before the New Moon. It appears as a thin crescent shape, with the illuminated part decreasing.

Front

What moon phase is observed when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun?

Back

The Full Moon phase is observed when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun, fully illuminated from Earth's perspective.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous Moon is the phase that occurs after the First Quarter Moon and before the Full Moon. It appears more than half illuminated and is increasing in illumination.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase that occurs after the New Moon and before the First Quarter Moon. It appears as a thin crescent shape, with the illuminated part increasing.

Front

How many main phases does the Moon go through in a lunar cycle?

Back

The Moon goes through eight main phases in a lunar cycle: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What is the significance of the Moon's phases?

Back

The Moon's phases are significant as they affect tides, animal behavior, and have cultural and agricultural implications.

Front

What is the difference between Waxing and Waning phases?

Back

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

Front

What phase comes after the Full Moon?

Back

The phase that comes after the Full Moon is the Waning Gibbous Moon.

Front

What phase comes before the New Moon?

Back

The phase that comes before the New Moon is the Waning Crescent Moon.