- The moon is positioned between the Sun and the Earth, with its dark side facing Earth.

- Not visible from Earth.

- Occurs every 29.5 days.

2. Waxing Crescent:

- The moon begins to appear as a thin, crescent-shaped sliver in the sky.

- The illuminated portion of the moon gradually increases.

- Occurs between the New Moon and the First Quarter.

3. First Quarter (Waxing Gibbous):

- The moon is at a right angle to the Sun and the Earth, with half of its illuminated side visible.

- Also known as "Half Moon".

- Occurs 7-8 days after the New Moon.

4. Waxing Gibbous:

- The illuminated portion of the moon continues to grow, becoming larger than half but not yet full.

- Occurs between the First Quarter and the Full Moon.

5. Full Moon:

- The moon is opposite the Sun in the sky, with its entire face illuminated and visible from Earth.

- Occurs 14-15 days after the New Moon.

- Also known as "Full Moon".

6. Waning Gibbous:

- The illuminated portion of the moon begins to decrease after the Full Moon.

- Occurs between the Full Moon and the Third Quarter.

7. Third Quarter (Waning Crescent):

- The moon is again at a right angle to the Sun and the Earth, but with the opposite side illuminated compared to the First Quarter.

- Half of the moon's illuminated face is visible.

- Occurs 7-8 days after the Full Moon.

8. Waning Crescent:

- The illuminated portion of the moon continues to shrink, appearing as a thin, crescent-shaped sliver.

- Occurs between the Third Quarter and the New Moon.

The phases of the moon occur in a predictable cycle as the moon orbits the Earth and reflects sunlight.