MOON PHASES Parts of the Lunar Cycle

Moon Phases During the lunar cycle, you see different portions of the daylight side of the moon. During the lunar cycle, you see different portions of the daylight side of the moon. It takes the moon about one month to go through its phases. It takes the moon about one month to go through its phases. The sun lights up the moon, just as it lights up the Earth. The sun lights up the moon, just as it lights up the Earth. The part of the moon you see depends on the moons position. The part of the moon you see depends on the moons position.

Waxing and Waning Between the New Moon and the Full Moon part of the Lunar Cycle, the Moon is called “Waxing” and the visible areas will be increasing. Between the New Moon and the Full Moon part of the Lunar Cycle, the Moon is called “Waxing” and the visible areas will be increasing. Between the Full Moon and the New Moon, the Moon is called “Waning” and the visible areas will be decreasing. Between the Full Moon and the New Moon, the Moon is called “Waning” and the visible areas will be decreasing.

New Moon The new moon is the part of the lunar cycle when the Moon and the Sun are on opposite sides of the Earth and the moon is not visible. The new moon is the part of the lunar cycle when the Moon and the Sun are on opposite sides of the Earth and the moon is not visible.

Waxing Crescent Just after the new moon when only a “crescent” shape is visible. Just after the new moon when only a “crescent” shape is visible.

First Quarter Two weeks after the new moon, the Moon is on the same side as the Sun and only half of the Moon is visible. Two weeks after the new moon, the Moon is on the same side as the Sun and only half of the Moon is visible.

Waxing Gibbous After the first quarter, you can see slightly more than half of the moon. “Gibbous” comes from the Latin meaning “Camel’s Hump” After the first quarter, you can see slightly more than half of the moon. “Gibbous” comes from the Latin meaning “Camel’s Hump”

Full Moon Halfway through the Lunar Cycle when the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, but the entire or “Full” moon is illuminated. Halfway through the Lunar Cycle when the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, but the entire or “Full” moon is illuminated.

Waning Gibbous After the Full Moon when slightly more than half of the Moon is visible again. After the Full Moon when slightly more than half of the Moon is visible again.

Third Quarter Nearing the end of the Lunar Cycle when only half of the moon is visible. Nearing the end of the Lunar Cycle when only half of the moon is visible.

Waning Crescent The last phase of the Lunar Cycle before the New Moon. Only a small crescent shape is visible. The last phase of the Lunar Cycle before the New Moon. Only a small crescent shape is visible.

Solar Eclipse During a Solar Eclipse the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth. This causes the Moon to cast a shadow on the Earth and temporarily block the Sun’s light. During a Solar Eclipse the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth. This causes the Moon to cast a shadow on the Earth and temporarily block the Sun’s light.

Lunar Eclipse During a Lunar Eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon. This temporarily blocks light from reaching the moon, often giving it a red appearance. During a Lunar Eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon. This temporarily blocks light from reaching the moon, often giving it a red appearance.