Moon Phases

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

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

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the first phase of the moon cycle when the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the Sun, occurring when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

Front

What does waxing mean in terms of moon phases?

Back

Waxing refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is increasing, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Front

What does waning mean in terms of moon phases?

Back

Waning refers to the period when the visible portion of the moon is decreasing, moving from Full Moon to New Moon.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

A Waning Gibbous is the phase of the moon that occurs after the Full Moon and before the Last Quarter, where more than half of the moon is still illuminated but decreasing.

Front

What is the First Quarter moon phase?

Back

The First Quarter is the phase of the moon when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Front

What is the Last Quarter moon phase?

Back

The Last Quarter is the phase of the moon when half of the moon is illuminated but the opposite side compared to the First Quarter, occurring about a week after the Full Moon.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs after the New Moon and before the First Quarter, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated.