Lunar Phases

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What are the lunar phases?

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The lunar phases are the different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth, caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun. The main phases are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

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What is a New Moon?

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A New Moon is the phase of the Moon when it is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

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What is a Full Moon?

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A Full Moon occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, allowing the entire face of the Moon to be illuminated.

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What is a Waxing Crescent?

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A Waxing Crescent is the phase after a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon becomes visible, increasing in size.

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What is a Waning Crescent?

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A Waning Crescent is the phase before a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is visible, decreasing in size.

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What is a First Quarter Moon?

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

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What is a Third Quarter Moon?

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

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What is a Waxing Gibbous?

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A Waxing Gibbous is the phase after the First Quarter, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated and increasing towards a Full Moon.

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What is a Waning Gibbous?

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A Waning Gibbous is the phase after a Full Moon, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but decreasing towards the Last Quarter.

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How long does it take for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases?

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It takes approximately 29.5 days for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases, known as a lunar month.