Moon Phases

Front

What is a moon phase?

Back

A moon phase is the shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth, which changes in a regular cycle.

Front

What are the main moon phases?

Back

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

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and the side of the Moon facing Earth is not illuminated.

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The Full Moon phase occurs when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, and the entire face of the Moon is illuminated.

Front

What does 'waxing' mean in moon phases?

Back

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

Front

What does 'waning' mean in moon phases?

Back

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

Front

What is the First Quarter Moon phase?

Back

The First Quarter Moon phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and is one quarter of the way through its cycle.

Front

What is the Last Quarter Moon phase?

Back

The Last Quarter Moon phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated, but the illuminated part is decreasing.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waxing Crescent Moon is the phase after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and increasing.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

Back

A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase before the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and decreasing.