Moon Phases

We divide the lunar month into four primary and four intermediate Moon phases.

New Moon is the first primary phase and it occurs the moment when the Sun and Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon.

Waxing Moon the moment a thin sliver of the Moon becomes visible.

First Quarter Moon is the second primary Moon phase and it is defined as the moment the Moon has reached the first quarter of its orbit around Earth, hence the name.

Waxing Gibbous Moon the second intermediate phase, lasts until the next primary phase.

The Full Moon appears in the night sky when the Sun and the Moon are aligned on opposite sides of Earth.

Waning Gibbous Moon the portion of the visible half of the Moon illuminated decreases during this period.

The Third Quarter Moon occurs the moment the opposite half of the Moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter Moon.

The Waning Crescent Moon. The Sun illuminates less than half of the visible part of the Moon during this Moon phase.