Moon Phases

Front

What is the new moon phase?

Back

The new moon phase is when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

What is a lunar month?

Back

A lunar month is the time it takes for the moon to complete one full cycle of phases, which is approximately 29.5 days.

Front

How much of the moon is illuminated by the sun?

Back

Exactly half of the moon is illuminated by the sun at all times, but only the lit part is visible from Earth.

Front

What are moon phases?

Back

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

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 waxing crescent moon phase?

Back

The waxing crescent moon phase is when a small sliver of the moon is illuminated, increasing in size as it approaches the first quarter.

Front

What is the waning gibbous moon phase?

Back

The waning gibbous moon phase occurs after a full moon when the illuminated part of the moon is decreasing but still more than half.

Front

What is the last quarter moon phase?

Back

The last quarter moon phase is when half of the moon is illuminated and decreasing, occurring about a week after the full moon.

Front

What is the waxing gibbous moon phase?

Back

The waxing gibbous moon phase is when more than half of the moon is illuminated and increasing, occurring before the full moon.

Front

What is the waning crescent moon phase?

Back

The waning crescent moon phase is when a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and decreasing, occurring just before the new moon.