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phases of the Moon

Changes in the Moon’s appearance over the course of a month; result from the movement of the Moon in relation to the Sun, as seen from Earth.
phases of the Moon The Moon lies directly between Earth and the Sun; it is not visible, as the Sun’s light is too brilliant. The Moon is visible in the early evening in the shape of a thin crescent. The visible face of the Moon grows increasingly bright; the lunar crescent gradually changes until it forms a semi-circle after one week. As the Moon moves away from the Sun, its shadow gradually recedes. The visible face of the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun’s rays. As the Moon moves closer to the Sun, its shadow begins to obscure the Sun’s disk. The bright side gradually recedes until it becomes a half-moon. The Moon lies to the right of the Sun and appears in the sky at dawn in the form of a thin crescent.

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lunar features

new moon

The Moon lies directly between Earth and the Sun; it is not visible, as the Sun’s light is too brilliant.

new crescent

The Moon is visible in the early evening in the shape of a thin crescent.

first quarter

The visible face of the Moon grows increasingly bright; the lunar crescent gradually changes until it forms a semi-circle after one week.

waxing gibbous

As the Moon moves away from the Sun, its shadow gradually recedes.

full moon

The visible face of the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun’s rays.

waning gibbous

As the Moon moves closer to the Sun, its shadow begins to obscure the Sun’s disk.

last quarter

The bright side gradually recedes until it becomes a half-moon.

old crescent

The Moon lies to the right of the Sun and appears in the sky at dawn in the form of a thin crescent.