Moon phases, Moon Phases

moon phases

The changing appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth

new moon

Moon phase that occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, at which point the Moon cannot be seen because its lighted half is facing the Sun and its dark side faces Earth.

first quarter moon

The moon is a quarter of the way around the Earth. You can see the right half of the moon.

full moon

the phase of the moon in which we see the entire moon lighted, and it appears bright and round

third quarter moon

The phase of the moon when it is three-quarters of the way through its orbit, and we see half of the moon lighted

crescent moon

the phase of the moon in which only a curved edge of the moon's side that faced earth is illuminated,

lasts about 6 days, can be a small sliver or almost a quarter moon.

gibbous moon

when the size of the illuminated portion of the moon is greater than half but not a full moon,

lasts about 6 days can be almost all white or just a little more than 1/2 white

waxing moon

When the Moon appears to get bigger

waning moon

When the Moon appears to get smaller

New Moon

Waxing Crescent

First Quarter

Waxing Gibbous

Full Moon

Waning Gibbous

Third Quarter

Waning Crescent