Moon Phases

 

CURRENT MOON
lunar phases

Moon phases is explained simply as the amount of the moon we can see. We have all noticed this goes through phases. This phase is a cyclic period that repeats itself once every 29.5 days.

 

The New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter phases are considered to be primary phases.


Waxing Gibbous
59% of Full
Sat 16 Apr, 2005

Here is what the Moon Phases look like and a brief discription. 

Waxing vs. Waning

NEW MOON

Moon is not visible (except during solar eclipse) as illuminated side is facing away from earth.

WAXING CRESCENT

Moon is less than half illuminated and illumination is increasing.

FIRST QUARTER

Half of the Moon appears to be illuminated and illumination is increasing.

WAXING GIBBOUS

Moon is more than half illuminated and illumination is increasing.

FULL MOON

Moon is fully illuminated and facing earth.

WANING GIBBOUS

Moon is more than half illuminated and illumination is decreasing.

LAST QUARTER

Half of the Moon appears to be illuminated and illumination is decreasing.

WANING CRESCENT

Moon is less than half illuminated and illumination is decreasing.

What about Blue Moon? The cycle phase is 29.5 days which is less than most calendar months (February), therefore it is not often that you have two Full Moons within one month. When two Full Moons do occur in the same month the second is called a Blue Moon and this only happens approximately every 2.7 years (or once in a Blue Moon).