Moon Phases

Science & Nature

The Moon’s appearance shifts each night in a dependable cycle called moon phases, shaped by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. A phase is defined by how much...

science-astronomy

The eight moon phases in order are new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent. This sequence repeats...

astronomy

The waxing moon describes the period when the visible illuminated portion of the Moon increases each night, progressing from the New Moon toward the Full Moon. During a waxing c...

science-skies

Observing and naming the Moon’s changing appearance begins with understanding the sequence of eight primary phases, each defined by the Moon’s position relative to the Sun a...

Space & Astronomy

The changing phases of the moon are a direct result of the Moon’s orbit around Earth and the way sunlight falls on its near and far sides. As the Moon circles our planet, the...

Lunar Phenomena

The full moon in July is usually called the Buck Moon, coinciding with the male deer’s new antlers growing in July. Other regional and traditional names include Hay Moon, Thun...

science-technology

The cycle of all moon phases in order arises from the changing angle between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. As the Moon orbits Earth about every 27.3 days, the portion of the Moon il...

astronomy

No, the moon will not be pink tonight. The term pink moon refers to the first full moon of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and does not describe a pink-colored moon. The moon...

space

The Moon orbits Earth about once every 29.5 days, and its changing position relative to the Sun and Earth creates the sequence of moon phases you can see from night to night. Ea...

astronomy

The Moon in June visits different zodiac constellations and shows changing phases, so which moon appears depends on the date. In general, June evenings often feature a waxing cr...