Moon Phases

Crescent Moon The Moon will be a crescent when it is closer to the Sun than you are.

Gibbous Moon The Moon will be gibbous when it is farther from the Sun than you are.

Waxing Moon The Moon will be waxing as it travels away from the Sun.

Waning Moon The Moon will be waning as it travels toward the Sun.

What Phase? Waxing Crescent

Waxing Crescent

What Phase? First Quarter

First Quarter

What Phase? Waxing Gibbous

Waxing Gibbous

What Phase? Full Moon

Full Moon

What Phase? Waning Gibbous

Waning Gibbous

What Phase? Waning Crescent

Waning Crescent

Moon Phases A few rules will help you understand Moon phases.

These rules can be used to understand phases seen with other objects in other places.

Which is closer to the Sun, the Earth or the Moon? Other Phases Earth Phases can be seen from the Moon. Question Which is closer to the Sun, the Earth or the Moon?

Which is closer to the Sun, the Earth or the Moon? Earthrise Question Which is closer to the Sun, the Earth or the Moon?

Quarter Earth and Moon

Gibbous Earth and Crescent Moon

Eclipses Eclipses occur when the shadow of one object in space covers another

Lunar Eclipses

Lunar Eclipses Lunar Eclipses occur when the shadow of the Earth covers the Moon. They can only occur during the Full Moon.

The Earth is Round! The shape of the Earth’s shadow has long been used to see both the size and true shape of the Earth.

Lunar Eclipses Lunar eclipses can be seen from half the Earth. More people get the chance to see Lunar eclipses than Solar Eclipses.

Solar Eclipses Solar Eclipses occur when the shadow of the Moon covers part of the earth. They can only occur on the New Moon.

Partial Eclipse Partial eclipses are seen when the Moon covers only part of the Sun from the viewers location.

Total Eclipse Total eclipses are seen when the Moon covers all of the Sun from the viewers location.

Transit An eclipse is similar to a transit. A transit occurs when one astronomical object passes in front of another. Here Venus is passing in front of the Sun.

Full Moon Names

Farmer's Almanac Blue Moon -The third full moon in a quarter of a year that has 4 full moons. Most quarters have only 3 full moons.

Calendar Blue Moon -The second full moon in the same moon Calendar Blue Moon -The second full moon in the same moon. Most months have only 1 full moon. This term began as an error in a Sky and telescope magazine article in 1946.

Wolf Moon -The first full moon of the year.

Snow Moon -The full moon of February.

Lenten Moon -The full moon of March.

Egg Moon -The full moon before Easter.

Full Harvest Moon -The full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox.

Hunter’s Moon -The first full moon after the Harvest Moon.

Faces in the Full Moon

Full Moon Names