moon phases

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What are the phases of the Moon?

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The phases of the Moon are the different shapes the Moon appears to take as it orbits Earth, including New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What causes the Moon to appear to change shape?

Back

The Moon appears to change shape due to the varying amounts of sunlight it reflects as it orbits Earth, influenced by its position relative to the Earth and the Sun.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

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 to us.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

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.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase that occurs 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 Moon?

Back

A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase that occurs after a Third Quarter Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is visible, decreasing in size.

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is the phase where half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

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What is a Last Quarter Moon?

Back

A Last Quarter Moon is the phase where the opposite half of the Moon's surface is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about three weeks after the New Moon.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

Back

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