Firstly, the moon keeps changing its shape with 4 distinct moon phases that depend on the position of the moon and also on the position of the Earth. The moon orbits around the planet Earth, and the Earth orbits around the Sun.
However, four main moon phases are there, we also call them the Lunar Phases. Four phases are First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter and last but not the least, The New Moon. In addition, 4 intermediate phases make up the combined eight phases that comprise the moon’s phase.
Phases of the Moon
Over a month the different ways in which the moon looks are basically the moon phases. As the moon revolves around the planet Earth, the half portion of the moon that faces the sun will be lit up. The moon will be lit up because of the sun’s light. The different shapes of the lit part of the moon that is visible from our planet i.e. Earth are known as the moon phases. Moreover, each of these phases repeats themselves every 29.5 days.
The 8 Main Moon Phases
New Moon
A new moon is present only when the moon is not visible. However, this happens because we are looking at that half portion of the moon which is unlit. The start of a new moon phase happens when the moon is directly in the middle of the sun and the Earth. The occurrence of a solar eclipse is only possible at a new moon.
Waxing Crescent Moon
A waxing crescent moon is when the moon is similar to crescent and the crescent increases ‘waxes’ in size from one day to the next day. However, this phase is usually visible only in the west.
First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter moon is also known as a half-moon. This phase of the moon is visible when only half of the portion of the moon is visible that is lit. This happens after the occurrence of the waxing crescent phase. It arrives after a week of the new moon.
Waxing Gibbous Moon
A waxing gibbous moon occurs when more than half of the lit area of the moon is visible and the shape also increases. The shape increases in size from one day to the upcoming day. The waxing gibbous phase happens between the first quarter and the full moon phases.
Full Moon
A full moon is when the entire lit area of the moon is visible to us. This phase occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the planet Earth from the sun. Moreover, it is known as opposition.
Waning Gibbous Moon
A waning gibbous moon occurs only when more than half of the lit area of the moon is visible. During this, the shape decreases in the size from one day to the upcoming next day. The waning gibbous phase occurs in the middle of the full moon and the third quarter phases.
Last Quarter Moon
The last quarter moon that we also call as the half-moon is when half of the lit area of the moon is visible after the waning gibbous phase of the moon.
Waning Crescent Moon
A waning crescent moon is when the moon is similar to the crescent. Here, the crescent decreases in the size from one day to the other day coming next.
Solved Question on Moon Phases
Ques. The phase of the moon we see depends upon:
(A). Whether or not an eclipse is occurring.
(B). What amount of the sunlight side faces the Earth.
(C). Where you are on Earth’s surface.
(D). What amount of the moon’s surface is lit by the sun?
Ans. (D). What amount of the moon’s surface is lit by the sun?
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