Lunar Cycle Vocabulary

The moon is growing/getting bigger and light is on the right.

• Waxing
• Waning

The moon is shrinking/getting smaller and light is on the left.

• Waxing
• Waning

When the entire moon is visible happen half way through the lunar cycle only lasting 1 day

• Full Moon
• New Moon

First phase of the lunar cycle; not visible and it's often represented by a black circle. (only lasts 1 day)

• Full Moon
• New Moon

Appears after a new moon; you can see less than half of the light on the right side of the moon.

• Waxing Crescent
• Waning Crescent

Appears before a new moon; you can see less than half of the light on the left side of the moon.

• Waxing Crescent
• Waning Crescent

Light on the right; you can see 1/2 of the light. (Lasts 1 day)

• First Quarter
• Last Quarter

Light on the left ; you can see 1/2 of the light. (Lasts 1 day)

• First Quarter
• Last Quarter

Appears right before a full moon; you can see 3/4 of the light on the right.

• Waxing Gibbous
• Waning Gibbous

Appears after a full moon; you can see 3/4 of the light on the left.

• Waxing Gibbous
• Waning Gibbous