Phases of the Moon

Front

What are the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are the different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth, caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

Front

How many phases does the Moon have?

Back

The Moon has 8 distinct phases.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the phase when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away 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, and it is opposite the Sun in the sky.

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 Waxing Gibbous?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous is the phase where more than half of the Moon is illuminated, but it is not yet a Full Moon.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

A Waning Gibbous is the phase after a Full Moon, where the illumination is decreasing but more than half of the Moon is still visible.

Front

What is a Last Quarter Moon?

Back

A Last Quarter Moon is the phase where half of the Moon is illuminated and it is decreasing in size, occurring after the Waning Gibbous.

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is the phase where half of the Moon is illuminated and it is increasing in size, occurring after the Waxing Crescent.

Front

What causes the Moon phases?

Back

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