Moon Phases Reviewed

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What are the phases of the moon?

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The phases of the moon are the different appearances of the moon as seen from Earth, which change in a cycle of about 29.5 days. The main phases are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

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What is a New Moon?

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

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What is a Full Moon?

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A Full Moon occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, allowing the entire face of the moon to be illuminated.

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What does 'Waxing' mean in relation to moon phases?

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

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What does 'Waning' mean in relation to moon phases?

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

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What is a Waxing Crescent?

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A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs just after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon becomes visible.

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What is a Waning Crescent?

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A Waning Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs just before the New Moon, where only a small sliver of the moon is visible.

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What is a First Quarter Moon?

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

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What is a Third Quarter Moon?

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A Third Quarter Moon is the phase where the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about three weeks after the New Moon.

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What is a Waning Gibbous?

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