Lunar Cycle

Front

What is the lunar cycle?

Back

The lunar cycle is the sequence of phases that the Moon goes through as it orbits the Earth, typically taking about 29.5 days to complete.

Front

What are the main phases of the Moon?

Back

The main phases of the Moon are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What causes the different phases of the Moon?

Back

The different phases of the Moon are caused by the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which affect how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

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

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

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

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

A Waxing Crescent is the phase after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon becomes visible, increasing in size.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

A Waning Gibbous is the phase after a Full Moon, where the illuminated portion of the Moon decreases.

Front

What is the significance of the Moon's orbit being tilted?

Back

The tilt of the Moon's orbit prevents the Earth from blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon during every Full Moon.

Front

How long does it take for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases?

Back

It takes approximately 29.5 days for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases.

Front

What is a Quarter Moon?

Back

A Quarter Moon refers to both the First Quarter and Last Quarter phases, where half of the Moon's surface is illuminated.