The amount of lighted surface of the Moon that is visible from Earth decreases during the waning phases of the lunar cycle.

Here's a breakdown:

* Waxing Phases: The illuminated portion of the Moon increases, going from a thin crescent to a full disc.

* Waning Phases: The illuminated portion of the Moon decreases, going from a full disc to a thin crescent.

The specific waning phases are:

1. Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated.

2. Waning Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is illuminated, but the illuminated portion is decreasing.

3. Last Quarter: Exactly half of the Moon is illuminated.

4. Waning Crescent: Less than half of the Moon is illuminated, and the illuminated portion is decreasing.

So, whenever the Moon is in its waning gibbous, last quarter, or waning crescent phases, the amount of lighted surface visible from Earth is decreasing.