Moon Phases

Moon Phases

The various stages of illumination of the Moon as observed from Earth, including new moon, crescent, first quarter, gibbous, full moon, and their respective waning and waxing transitions.

Rotation

The movement of the Moon around its axis, which takes approximately 27.3 days to complete a full rotation, leading to the same side always facing Earth.

Revolution

The orbit of the Moon around the Earth, which takes about 27.3 days to complete one full cycle, resulting in the changing appearance of the Moon phases.

Lunar calendar

A calendar system that is based on the lunar phases, typically consisting of 12 months each aligned with a new moon, resulting in a year slightly shorter than the solar calendar.

Moon’s Orbit - 5 degree tilt

The slightly tilted path that the Moon takes around the Earth, which is about 5 degrees relative to the Earth's orbital plane, influencing the appearance of lunar phases and eclipses.

Solar Eclipse

An event that occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or part of the Sun's light. This can only happen during a new moon when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned.

Lunar Eclipse

An event that occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon when all three bodies are aligned.

Earth’s Atmosphere 

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, essential for life, providing oxygen, protecting from solar radiation, and regulating temperature. It is composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases.

Umbra

The darkest part of a shadow during an eclipse, where the light source is completely blocked.

Penumbra

The lighter outer part of a shadow during an eclipse, where the light source is only partially blocked.

Waxing

The phase of the Moon when its visible surface is increasing, leading up to a full moon. This phase occurs after the new moon and before the full moon. On the RIGHT

Waning

The phase of the Moon when its visible surface is decreasing, leading up to a new moon. This phase occurs after the full moon and before the new moon. On the LEFT

Gibbous

A phase of the Moon when it is more than half illuminated but not yet full. This occurs during both the waxing and waning cycles.

Crescent

A phase of the Moon when it is less than half illuminated, occurring during both the waxing and waning cycles.

New Moon

the phase of the moon when it is in conjunction with the sun and invisible from earth, or shortly thereafter when it appears as a slender crescent.

Full Moon

the phase of the moon in which its whole disk is illuminated.

First quarter moon

a lunar phase where half of the Moon's face appears illuminated, occurring roughly one week after the new moon, as the Moon has completed one-quarter of its orbit around Earth. On the RIGHT

Third quarter moon

occurs when the moon has completed 3/4 of its orbit around the Earth, with the opposite half illuminated compared to the first quarter. On the LEFT

Ray

bright, radial streaks of material emanating from impact craters, often extending far beyond the crater's size. These rays are formed by the impact ejecta, which is the material thrown out during a crater-forming even

Crater

a large, bowl-shaped cavity in the ground or on the surface of a planet or the moon, typically one caused by an explosion or the impact of a meteorite or other celestial body.

Maria

a large, level basalt plain on the surface of the moon, appearing dark by contrast with highland areas.

Meteoriod

a small body moving in the solar system that would become a meteor if it entered the earth's atmosphere.