Moon Phases

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated by the sun, appearing as a complete circle in the sky.

Front

How much of the moon is always lit?

Back

Half of the moon is always lit by the sun, but we only see different portions of it from Earth.

Front

What causes the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are caused by the moon's movement around Earth and how much of its illuminated half is visible from Earth.

Front

What is the order of the moon phases starting from New Moon?

Back

The order is: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent.

Front

What moon phase comes right before a Full Moon?

Back

The moon phase that comes right before a Full Moon is the Waxing Gibbous.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the phase of the moon when it is not visible from Earth because the illuminated side is facing away from us.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs after a New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon becomes visible.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

A Waning Crescent is the phase of the moon that occurs after a Third Quarter, where a small sliver of the moon is visible before it becomes a New Moon.

Front

What is a First Quarter Moon?

Back

A First Quarter Moon is the phase where half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after a New Moon.

Front

What is a Last Quarter Moon?

Back

A Last Quarter Moon is the phase where the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, occurring about three weeks after a New Moon.