New Moon:
During a new moon, the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, so the side of the moon facing the Earth is not illuminated. As a result, we cannot see the moon from Earth, and it appears as a dark circle.
Waxing Crescent:
As the moon moves in its orbit, the illuminated portion of the moon gradually becomes visible from Earth. This phase is called the waxing crescent because the moon appears as a thin crescent shape, with the illuminated portion growing larger each day.
First Quarter (Waxing Gibbous):
When the moon is at a right angle to the Earth and the sun, exactly half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth. This phase is called the first quarter or waxing gibbous moon.
Full Moon:
As the moon continues to orbit, more of the illuminated portion becomes visible until the entire face of the moon is lit up. This phase is called the full moon, and it occurs when the moon is opposite the sun in the sky.
Waning Gibbous:
After the full moon, the illuminated portion of the moon begins to decrease, and the moon appears as a waning gibbous moon.
Third Quarter (Waning Crescent):
When the moon is again at a right angle to the Earth and the sun, half of the moon is still illuminated, but it is the opposite side from the first quarter. This phase is called the third quarter or waning crescent moon.
Waning Crescent:
As the moon continues to move in its orbit, the illuminated portion continues to decrease, and the moon appears as a thin crescent again. This phase is called the waning crescent.
New Moon:
Finally, the moon completes its orbit, and the cycle begins again with the new moon.
The order of the moon phases is determined by the changing positions of the Earth, moon, and sun as the moon orbits the Earth, reflecting different amounts of sunlight towards us.
