Lunar Phases

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What are lunar phases?

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

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What is a new moon?

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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, making it invisible.

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What is a full moon?

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A full moon occurs when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, allowing the entire illuminated side of the Moon to be visible from Earth.

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What does waxing mean in lunar phases?

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Waxing refers to the period when the visible portion of the Moon is increasing, moving from new moon to full moon.

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What does waning mean in lunar phases?

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Waning refers to the period when the visible portion of the Moon is decreasing, moving from full moon to new moon.

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What is a waxing crescent moon?

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A waxing crescent moon is the phase after the new moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is illuminated and visible.

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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 but decreasing.

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What is a first quarter moon?

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A first quarter moon occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the new moon.

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What is a third quarter moon?

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A third quarter moon occurs when the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the first quarter, occurring about three weeks after the new moon.

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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 and increasing.