What causes the moon's phases?

The moon's phases are a result of sunlight reflecting off its surface, not its own light.

What is the new moon phase?

The new moon phase is when the moon is invisible.

Waxing crescent refers to the moon growing larger.

The full moon phase is when the entire moon is visible.

Waning gibbous refers to the moon shrinking.

The moon's phases are a result of sunlight reflecting off its surface, not its own light, leading to a 29.5-day lunar cycle from new moon to full moon and back, showcasing its various stages from invisible to fully illuminated.
Recognizing waxing and waning in the moon's phases provides insights into its growth and shrinking, while terms like gibbous describe its rounded shapes, demystifying the moon's magical allure through understanding its transformations based on reflected sunlight.

What causes the moon's phases?
The moon's phases are a result of sunlight reflecting off its surface, not its own light.
What is the new moon phase?
The new moon phase is when the moon is invisible.
What does waxing crescent mean?
Waxing crescent refers to the moon growing larger.
What is the full moon phase?
The full moon phase is when the entire moon is visible.
What is the waning gibbous phase?
Waning gibbous refers to the moon shrinking.

00:00

The moon's phases are a result of sunlight reflecting off its surface, not its own light, leading to the new moon phase when it's invisible, followed by waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent, and back to new moon in a 29.5-day lunar cycle.
Understanding the moon's phases involves recognizing waxing as it grows larger and waning as it shrinks, with terms like gibbous referring to rounded shapes, offering insights into the moon's transformations and the illusion of its magical powers.