Moon Phases

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What are the eight primary moon phases?

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

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What is a Full Moon?

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A Full Moon occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, fully illuminating its surface.

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What is a New Moon?

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

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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, leading up to a 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, following a Full Moon.

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How is the First Quarter Moon characterized?

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The First Quarter Moon is characterized by half of the Moon being illuminated, with the right side lit in the Northern Hemisphere.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

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

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What is a Waning Crescent Moon?

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A Waning Crescent Moon is the phase just before the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated on the left side.

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What is the significance of the Moon's phases in relation to tides?

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The Moon's phases affect the gravitational pull on Earth, influencing the tides; Full and New Moons result in higher high tides and lower low tides.

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

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It takes approximately 29.5 days for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases, known as a lunar month.