Moon Phases

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What is a Moon Phase?

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A Moon Phase is the shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth, which changes in a cycle due to the Moon's orbit around Earth.

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What are the main Moon Phases?

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The main Moon Phases are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from Earth, making it invisible to us.

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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, and the entire illuminated side of the Moon is 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 illumination.

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What is a Waning Crescent?

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

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What is a First Quarter Moon?

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

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What is a Third Quarter Moon?

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A Third Quarter Moon occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after a Full Moon.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous?

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

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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 towards a Third Quarter.