Lunar Phases

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What are the eight lunar phases?

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1. New Moon 2. Waxing Crescent 3. First Quarter 4. Waxing Gibbous 5. Full Moon 6. Waning Gibbous 7. Last Quarter 8. Waning Crescent

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What is a New Moon?

Back

The New Moon is the phase when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from the Earth.

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What is a Full Moon?

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The Full Moon is the phase 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 lunar phases?

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

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What does 'Waning' mean in lunar phases?

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

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What is the First Quarter Moon?

Back

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

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What is the Third Quarter Moon?

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

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How does the position of the Moon affect its phases?

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The Moon's phases are determined by its position relative to the Earth and the Sun, affecting how much of its surface is illuminated.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Back

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

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What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

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A Waning Gibbous Moon is the phase after a Full Moon when the illumination is decreasing but more than half of the Moon is still visible.