New Moon
* Earth: The Earth is in the middle.
* Sun: The Sun is on one side of the Earth.
* Moon: The Moon is on the *same* side of the Earth as the Sun, but directly between the Earth and the Sun. This means it's not visible from Earth because its sunlit side is facing away from us.
Why is it called "new"?
The term "new" refers to the fact that we are seeing a very small sliver, or none at all, of the Moon's illuminated surface. The Moon is essentially "reborn" as it starts a new lunar cycle.
Venus at its New Phase
* Earth: The Earth is in the middle.
* Sun: The Sun is on one side of the Earth.
* Venus: Venus is on the *same* side of the Earth as the Sun, but *closer* to the Sun than the Earth. This means Venus is between the Earth and the Sun.
Why Venus is Different
Unlike the Moon, Venus can be seen during its new phase. It's actually in the same general region of the sky as the Sun, but it's very challenging to see due to its proximity to the Sun's intense glare. This makes it a rare sight.
Important Note: The terms "new" and "full" are used for both the Moon and other planets. However, the way they are used for planets is slightly different. For the Moon, these phases refer to how much of its illuminated surface we see. For planets, these phases refer to the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and the planet in their orbit.
