Full moon 2

Phases of the Moon

By mnteacher23

  • New Moon

    New Moon
    Each moon phase cycle is approximately 30 days long. The moon revolves around the Earth one time during this cycle. As the moon revolves around Earth and the Earth revolves around the sun, the moon goes through different phases. Today, a new moon cycle begins. The moon is between the Earth and the Sun, so the moon is not illuminated in the night sky. The moon is so close to the sun that it cannot reflect its light. This phase is called a "New Moon."

  • Waxing Crescent Moon

    Waxing Crescent Moon
    The moon is now in its Waxing Crescent phase. We are able to see a crescent-shaped moon illuminated in the sky. The "light" part of the moon (reflected from the sun) will continue to grow as the moon continues through its cycle. The Moon is round, just like the Earth. It is important to remember that only one side of the Moon is facing the Earth as the Moon revolves around the it.

  • First Quarter Moon

    First Quarter Moon
    The First Quarter Moon phase is sometimes referred to as a "Half Moon." The moon is about a quarter (1/4) of the way through its cycle.

  • Waxing Gibbous Moon

    Waxing Gibbous Moon
    In the Waxing Gibbous phase, more than half of the moon is illuminated in the night sky. Remember, the moon is not a source of light, it reflects light from the sun.

  • Full Moon

    Full Moon
    The moon is about halfway through its revolution around the Earth. We can see an entire side of the moon illuminated in the night sky during the Full Moon phase.

  • Waning Gibbous Moon

    Waning Gibbous Moon
    The moon is now in the Waning Gibbous phase, which means the "light" of the moon will continue to decrease through the rest of the moon phase cycle.

  • Last (Third) Quarter Moon

    Last (Third) Quarter Moon
    During the Last, or Third, Quarter Moon phase, again we see a "Half Moon" in the night sky. The moon is three-quarters (3/4) of the way through its revolution around the Earth.

  • Waning Crescent Moon

    Waning Crescent Moon
    During the Waning Crescent phase, the illuminated side of the Moon looks like a crescent in the night sky. The "light" is almost gone, which means this Moon phase cycle will soon end.

  • New Moon

    New Moon
    The moon has completed its revolution around the Earth! A new moon cycle will now begin.