Moon Phases & Eclipses

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What is a Full Moon?

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A Full Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, fully illuminating its surface.

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What is a New Moon?

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A New Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

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What is a First Quarter Moon?

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A First Quarter Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, appearing as a half-circle.

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What is a Last Quarter Moon?

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A Last Quarter Moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is three-quarters of the way through its cycle, showing the opposite half of the First Quarter.

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What is a Waxing Crescent?

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A Waxing Crescent is a lunar phase that occurs after a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated.

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What is a Waxing Gibbous?

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A Waxing Gibbous is a lunar phase that occurs after the First Quarter, where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but not yet full.

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What is a Waning Gibbous?

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A Waning Gibbous is a lunar phase that occurs after a Full Moon, where the illuminated portion of the Moon begins to decrease.

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What is a Waning Crescent?

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A Waning Crescent is a lunar phase that occurs just before a New Moon, where a small sliver of the Moon is still visible.

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What causes the Moon phases?

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The Moon phases are caused by the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, affecting how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

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What is a lunar eclipse?

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A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.