Waxing Gibbous vs. Waning Gibbous: What’s the Difference?

Have you ever looked up at the moon and noticed that it appears to be getting bigger or smaller? If so, you may have been observing the waxing and waning phases of the moon. During these phases, the moon appears to change shape as it orbits around Earth. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing one difference between two similar phases of the moon—waxing gibbous and waning gibbous.

What is Waxing Gibbous?

The waxing gibbous phase of the moon occurs between the first quarter phase and full moon phase. During this phase, the illuminated part of the moon is getting larger and larger each night, until it reaches its maximum illuminated size at full moon. To identify a waxing gibbous moon, look for a moon that is more than half but not completely illuminated.

What is Waning Gibbous?

Waning gibbous is the phase of the moon that occurs between the full moon and third quarter phase. During this phase, the illuminated part of the moon is getting smaller and smaller each night, until it reaches its minimum illuminated size at the third quarter. To identify a waning gibbous moon, look for a moon that is more than half but not completely illuminated, but with the illumination gradually decreasing.

The Difference

So, what is the difference between waxing gibbous and waning gibbous? The main difference is the direction in which the illuminated part of the moon is changing. During waxing gibbous, the illuminated part is growing larger each night, while during waning gibbous, the illuminated part is getting smaller each night.

Another way to think about it is that waxing gibbous comes before the full moon and waning gibbous comes after the full moon.

Waxing Gibbous vs. Waning Gibbous: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to the moon, there are many different phases that it goes through. Each phase has its own unique characteristics, which can be confusing for those who are not familiar with them. Two phases that are often compared are the waxing gibbous and the waning gibbous. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two phases and provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

A waxing gibbous moon is one of the lunar phases that occurs between a first quarter moon and a full moon. During this phase, the moon appears to be more than half illuminated and is increasing in illumination. The term “gibbous” refers to the shape of the moon, which appears to be bulging on either side.

What is a Waning Gibbous?

A waning gibbous moon occurs between a full moon and a third quarter moon. During this phase, the moon also appears to be more than half illuminated but is gradually decreasing in illumination. As with the waxing gibbous phase, the term “gibbous” refers to the shape of the moon.

What are the Differences Between Waxing Gibbous and Waning Gibbous?

The main difference between these two phases is the direction in which the moon’s illumination is changing. During a waxing gibbous phase, the moon’s illumination is increasing, while during a waning gibbous phase, the moon’s illumination is decreasing.

Another difference between these two phases is the time of day during which they are visible. The waxing gibbous phase is visible in the eastern sky in the late afternoon and early evening, while the waning gibbous phase is visible in the western sky during the early morning hours.

How Long Do Waxing Gibbous and Waning Gibbous Phases Last?

Both the waxing gibbous and waning gibbous phases last approximately seven days each. This is because the moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one cycle of its phases.

How Does the Waxing Gibbous and Waning Gibbous Affect the Tides?

The moon, in general, has a significant impact on the tides, which is due to its gravitational pull. During both the waxing and waning gibbous phases, the gravitational pull on the Earth is slightly less than during a full or new moon. As a result, the tides are not as strong during these phases, but they are still higher than during a first or third quarter moon.

What Other Lunar Phases are There?

Aside from the waxing and waning gibbous phases, there are several other lunar phases that the moon goes through. These include:

– New moon
– Waxing crescent
– First quarter
– Full moon
– Third quarter
– Waning crescent

Each of these phases has its own unique characteristics and appearance in the sky.

Waxing Gibbous vs. Waning Gibbous: What’s the Difference?

If you’re someone who loves gazing at the moon, you might have noticed that it appears in different shapes and sizes over the course of the month. These changes in the moon’s appearance are known as lunar phases. During one such phase, the moon appears as a waxing gibbous or a waning gibbous. While these two moon phases might look similar, there are some key differences between them. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at waxing gibbous vs. waning gibbous, and what makes them different from each other.

What are the lunar phases?

To understand the difference between waxing gibbous and waning gibbous, it’s important to know a little bit about the lunar phases. The lunar phases are the different appearances of the moon that occur as it orbits the Earth. There are eight primary phases of the moon, each lasting about 29.5 days, which is the length of a lunar month. The phases are as follows:

• New moon
• Waxing crescent
• First quarter
• Waxing gibbous
• Full moon
• Waning gibbous
• Last quarter
• Waning crescent

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

A waxing gibbous moon appears after the first quarter and before the full moon. During this phase, the moon is more than half illuminated but less than fully illuminated. The illuminated portion is increasing each day, which is why it’s called a waxing moon. It’s called gibbous because the shape is not quite full, but not quite half either. Instead, it’s a round, bulging shape that is less than one full circle.

If you look at a waxing gibbous moon, you’ll notice that it appears to be getting larger each night. This is because the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing. The only difference between a waxing gibbous and a full moon is that during the waxing gibbous phase, there is still a dark portion of the moon that is not illuminated.

What is a Waning Gibbous?

A waning gibbous moon appears after the full moon and before the last quarter. During this phase, the moon is more than half illuminated but less than fully illuminated. The illuminated portion is decreasing each day, which is why it’s called a waning moon. It’s called gibbous because the shape is not quite full, but not quite half either. Instead, it’s a round, bulging shape that is less than one full circle.

If you look at a waning gibbous moon, you’ll notice that it appears to be getting smaller each night. This is because the illuminated portion of the moon is decreasing. The only difference between a waning gibbous and a full moon is that during the waning gibbous phase, there is still a dark portion of the moon that is not illuminated.

What is the Difference Between Waxing Gibbous and Waning Gibbous?

The main difference between waxing gibbous and waning gibbous is the direction in which the illuminated portion of the moon is changing. During the waxing gibbous phase, the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing, while during the waning gibbous phase, the illuminated portion of the moon is decreasing.

Another difference is the timing of these phases in the lunar cycle. A waxing gibbous moon appears after the first quarter and before the full moon, while a waning gibbous moon appears after the full moon and before the last quarter.

Conclusion

So, as we’ve seen, there are some differences between waxing gibbous and waning gibbous, despite the fact that they might look very similar at first glance. Waxing gibbous and waning gibbous are both transitional phases between the first quarter and last quarter or full moon. During the waxing gibbous phase, the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing, while during the waning gibbous phase, the illuminated portion of the moon is decreasing. Keep this information in mind the next time you go outside to enjoy the moon.