Phases of the Moon

1. Phases of the Moon

2. Moon Phase Views • For practical purposes, phases of the Moon and the percent of the Moon illuminated are independentof the location on the Earth from where the Moon is observed. • That is, all the phases occur at the same time regardless of the observer's position.

3. Moon Phase Views • New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter phases are considered to be primary phases and their dates and times are published in almanacs and on calendars. • The two crescent and two gibbous phases are intermediate phases, each of which lasts for about a week between the primary phases.

4. New Moon • The Moon's dark side is facing the Earth. • The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse). • This means that the Sun, Earth, and Moon are almost in a straight line, with the Moon in between the Sun and the Earth.  • This happens during our daylight hours. 12 noon, to be exact!

5. Waxing Crescent • The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. • The crescent will grow larger and larger every day, until the Moon looks like the First Quarter Moon.

6. First Quarter • One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. • The right half of the Moon appears lighted and the left side of the Moon appears dark. • This phase is 6 hours behind the sun. On meridian at sunset. Sets at midnight. 

7. Waxing Gibbous • The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. • "Waxing" means increasing, or growing larger.

8. Full Moon • The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth and appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight. • This means that the Earth, Sun, and Moon are nearly in a straight line, with the Earth in the middle.  • This phase is 12 hours behind the sun. On the meridian at midnight, sets at sunrise. Rises at sunset.

9. Waning Gibbous • The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. • The amount of the Moon that we can see will grow smaller and smaller every day. • "Waning" means decreasing, or growing smaller.

10. Last Quarter • One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. • Sometimes called Third Quarter.  • The left half of the Moon appears lighted, and the right side of the Moon appears dark.  • This phase is 6 hours ahead of the sun. On the meridian at sunrise, rises at midnight and sets at noon.

11. Waning Crescent • The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. • The crescent will grow smaller and smaller every day, until the Moon looks like the New Moon.

12. Moon Phases Movie

13. Moon Phases in Whole

14. Moon Visibility • The table gives a summary of approximately when the Moon is visible and where to look (the crescent and gibbous phases are in between the table values). • There are times during the moon's monthly cycle that the Moon is sometimes visible in broad daylight!

15. Moon Visibility • There are times during the moon's monthly cycle that the Moon is sometimes visible in broad daylight! • The lighted part of the moon always points towards the sun.

17. Moon Visibility • If lighted on the right, the sun is ahead of the moon. • If the left portion of the moon is lighted, the moon is ahead of the sun.

18. Moon Phase Misconception • "The most common incorrect reason given for the cause of the Moon's phases is that we are seeing the shadow of the Earth on the Moon! • But this cannot be correct: when the Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth, we get a lunar eclipse. • Anyone who has seen a lunar eclipse, though, might remember that the Moon actually passes through the Earth's shadow only rarely, so that can't be why the Moon has phases. • The real reason for the Moon's phases depends on two things: the Moon is round, and the angle it makes with the Earth and Sun changes over its orbit.“ - As Quoted From Bad Astronomy