Phases of the Moon

Front

What are the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon 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 a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, occurring when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

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

Front

What does 'waxing' mean?

Back

Waxing refers to the phase of the Moon when it is increasing in illumination, moving from New Moon to Full Moon.

Front

What does 'waning' mean?

Back

Waning refers to the phase of the Moon when it is decreasing in illumination, moving from Full Moon to New Moon.

Front

How many main phases of the Moon are there?

Back

There are eight main phases of the Moon: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What causes the phases of the Moon?

Back

The phases of the Moon are caused by the angle at which we see the lit Moon as it revolves around the Earth.

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is the phase when half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, occurring about a week after the New Moon.

Front

What is a Third Quarter Moon?

Back

A Third Quarter Moon is the phase when the opposite half of the Moon's surface is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about three weeks after the New Moon.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

A Waxing Gibbous Moon is the phase when more than half of the Moon's surface is illuminated but it is not yet a Full Moon.