* New Moon: The moon is positioned between the sun and the Earth, so its sunlit side is facing away from us. We can't see it.
* Crescent Phase: As the moon moves away from the sun, a sliver of its sunlit side becomes visible from Earth. This is the crescent phase.
* Waxing Crescent: This is the crescent phase *before* the new moon. The illuminated sliver is growing larger.
* Waning Crescent: This is the crescent phase *after* the new moon. The illuminated sliver is getting smaller.
So, both phases are actually the same crescent shape, but the waxing crescent is getting *bigger* and the waning crescent is getting *smaller*.
Here's a simple way to remember:
* Waxing: Think of the moon *waxing* larger like a candle.
* Waning: Think of the moon *waning* smaller like a candle burning out.
It's easy to get confused, but remember that the phases are simply describing the illuminated area of the moon as it orbits the Earth.
