Phases of the Moon

Front

What is the Waxing Crescent phase of the Moon?

Back

The Waxing Crescent is the lunar phase that occurs after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon becomes visible, increasing in size until it reaches the First Quarter.

Front

What is the Waning Crescent phase of the Moon?

Back

The Waning Crescent is the lunar phase that occurs after the Last Quarter, where a small sliver of the Moon is visible, decreasing in size until it reaches the New Moon.

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

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

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The Full Moon phase occurs when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, making it fully visible from Earth.

Front

What is the First Quarter phase of the Moon?

Back

The First Quarter phase occurs when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Front

What is the Last Quarter phase of the Moon?

Back

The Last Quarter phase occurs when the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about a week after the Full Moon.

Front

What does 'Waxing' mean in lunar phases?

Back

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

Front

What does 'Waning' mean in lunar phases?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between a Gibbous Moon and a Crescent Moon?

Back

A Gibbous Moon is more than half illuminated, while a Crescent Moon is less than half illuminated.