Moon Phases and Related Terms

Front

New Moon

Back

The phase where the moon is not visible from Earth.

Front

First Quarter

Back

The phase where half of the moon's surface is illuminated, and it appears as a half-circle.

Front

Full Moon

Back

The phase where the moon is fully illuminated and appears as a full circle.

Front

Last Quarter (Third Quarter)

Back

The phase where the moon is half-illuminated again, but on the opposite side as the first quarter.

Front

Waxing

Back

Describes the phases where the moon appears to grow larger.

Front

Waning

Back

Describes the phases where the moon appears to shrink.

Front

Gibbous

Back

A phase where more than half of the moon is illuminated, but it’s not a full moon.

Front

Illuminate

Back

To light up or make visible.

Front

Cycle

Back

A repeating pattern (in this case, the moon’s phases repeat in a cycle).