The Moon's phases are caused by the changing angles at which we see the sunlit portion of the Moon as it orbits the Earth. Here are the eight phases, their names, and their approximate timings within a lunar cycle (about 29.5 days):

1. New Moon: This phase is when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, with the sunlit side facing away from us. We can't see the Moon during this phase.

* Occurs: Day 0 of the lunar cycle.

2. Waxing Crescent: The Moon begins to appear as a thin sliver of light on the right side.

* Occurs: Days 1-3 of the lunar cycle.

3. First Quarter: We see half of the Moon illuminated on the right side.

* Occurs: Day 7 of the lunar cycle.

4. Waxing Gibbous: The illuminated portion of the Moon continues to grow, becoming more than half illuminated.

* Occurs: Days 8-14 of the lunar cycle.

5. Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated as it is directly opposite the Sun in the sky.

* Occurs: Day 14-15 of the lunar cycle.

6. Waning Gibbous: The illuminated portion of the Moon starts to shrink, becoming less than half illuminated.

* Occurs: Days 16-21 of the lunar cycle.

7. Last Quarter: We see half of the Moon illuminated, but now on the left side.

* Occurs: Day 22 of the lunar cycle.

8. Waning Crescent: The Moon is a thin sliver of light on the left side, becoming fainter until it disappears.

* Occurs: Days 23-29 of the lunar cycle.

It's important to note that the exact timing of each phase can vary slightly due to the Moon's elliptical orbit around the Earth.