Moon Phases and Eclipses

Front

What is a lunar eclipse?

Back

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon.

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What is a solar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Earth.

Front

What are the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are the different shapes of the Moon as seen from Earth, which include New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase is when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and the side of the Moon facing Earth is not illuminated.

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

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

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What does 'waxing' mean in relation to the Moon?

Back

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

Front

What does 'waning' mean in relation to the Moon?

Back

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

Front

What is the First Quarter phase?

Back

The First Quarter phase is 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?

Back

The Last Quarter phase, also known as the Third Quarter, is when the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter.

Front

Why does the Moon have phases?

Back

The Moon has phases because the Earth views different angles of the lit side of the Moon as it orbits around the Earth.