What are the 12 Phases of the Moon and Their Names?

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and seen the moon in its different phases? The moon goes through 12 phases in its 29.5-day lunar cycle. Each phase has its own unique appearance and name. In this blog post, we will explore each of the 12 phases and what they are called.

New Moon

The new moon occurs when the moon is between the sun and the Earth, which makes the side of the moon that faces Earth to be unlit. This phase marks the beginning of the lunar cycle, and it is called the new moon. It is not visible in the sky.

Waxing Crescent Moon

This phase occurs when the moon becomes partially illuminated by the sun, and it appears as a sliver-shaped crescent in the sky. It is called the waxing crescent moon, and it can be visible shortly after sunset.

First Quarter Moon

This phase takes place when the moon has completed a quarter of its orbit around the Earth, and it appears as a half-moon shape. It is called the first quarter moon, and it is visible in the afternoon or evening sky.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

This phase occurs when more than half of the moon is illuminated by the sun, and it appears as a three-quarter moon shape. It is called the waxing gibbous moon, and it can be seen in the afternoon and early evening sky.

Full Moon

The full moon is the most famous of all the phases. It occurs when the entire surface of the moon facing Earth is illuminated by the sun. It is called the full moon, and it can be seen rising in the east as the sun sets in the west.

Waning Gibbous Moon

This phase takes place when the illuminated area of the moon begins to decrease, and it appears as a three-quarter moon shape. It is called the waning gibbous moon, and it can be seen in the sky after midnight.

Last Quarter Moon

The last quarter moon phase takes place when the moon has completed three-quarter of its orbit around the Earth, and it appears as a half-moon shape. It is called the last quarter moon, and it can be seen in the morning sky.

Waning Crescent Moon

This phase occurs when the illuminated area of the moon continues to decrease, and it appears as a sliver-shaped crescent in the sky. It is called the waning crescent moon, and it can be visible shortly before sunrise.

New Moon

The new moon occurs again, marking the end of one lunar cycle and the beginning of a new one. It is not visible in the sky.

Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon. During this phase, the moon appears to be a reddish-brown color as it is in the Earth’s shadow.

Blue Moon

A blue moon is not a phase of the moon, instead, it refers to the second full moon that occurs within a month. This rare occurrence is what gave rise to the phrase “once in a blue moon.”

Supermoon

A supermoon happens when the moon is at its closest point to the Earth. This causes the moon to look larger and brighter than usual in the sky.

In conclusion, the 12 phases of the moon are fascinating and have their own unique characteristics. Understanding the different phases helps us appreciate the beauty of the moon and its effects on Earth. Next time you look up at the night sky, see if you can spot which phase the moon is in.

What are the 12 Phases of the Moon and Their Names?

The Moon is a celestial body that has fascinated humans for centuries. Its phases are a subject of interest for many people even today. The Moon phases are the appearance of illumination of the Moon as viewed from the Earth. There are 12 phases of the Moon, each with its distinct name, and these phases can be easily observed with the naked eye. In this article, we’ll answer some of the frequently asked questions about the phases of the Moon and their names.

What are the phases of the Moon?

The Moon’s phases refer to the varying illumination of the Moon that we observe from the Earth. These phases are caused by the Moon’s position in relation to the Earth and the Sun. The phases of the Moon, in order, are:

1. New Moon

The New Moon is the first phase of the Moon, and it occurs when the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun. During this phase, the side of the Moon that faces the Earth is not illuminated, making the Moon invisible to the naked eye.

2. Waxing Crescent

The Waxing Crescent is the second phase of the Moon, and it occurs after the New Moon. During this phase, a small sliver of the Moon’s illuminated side becomes visible on the right side of the Moon when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.

3. First Quarter

The First Quarter is the third phase of the Moon, and it occurs approximately a week after the New Moon. During this phase, half of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from the Earth, making it visible during daylight hours.

4. Waxing Gibbous

The Waxing Gibbous is the fourth phase of the Moon, and it occurs after the First Quarter. During this phase, more than half, but not all, of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible.

5. Full Moon

The Full Moon is the fifth phase of the Moon and is perhaps the most well-known. During this phase, the entire illuminated side of the Moon is visible from Earth, making it appear as a circle.

6. Waning Gibbous

The Waning Gibbous is the sixth phase of the Moon, and it occurs after the Full Moon. During this phase, more than half, but not all, of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible.

7. Third Quarter

The Third Quarter is the seventh phase of the Moon and it occurs about a week after the Full Moon. During this phase, half of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from the Earth, just like the First Quarter phase.

8. Waning Crescent

The Waning Crescent is the eighth phase of the Moon and it occurs after the Third Quarter. During this phase, a small sliver of the Moon’s illuminated side becomes visible on the left side of the Moon when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.

9. Dark Moon

The Dark Moon is the ninth phase of the Moon and occurs when the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, just like the New Moon phase. It is also referred to as the New Moon, but some people use this term to refer to the Waxing Crescent phase instead.

10. New Crescent

The New Crescent is the tenth phase of the Moon, and it occurs after the Dark Moon. During this phase, a small sliver of the Moon’s illuminated side becomes visible on the right side of the Moon when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.

11. First Crescent

The First Crescent is the eleventh phase of the Moon, and it occurs after the New Crescent. During this phase, half of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from the Earth, making it visible during daylight hours.

12. Waxing Half Moon

The Waxing Half Moon is the twelfth and final phase of the Moon, and it occurs after the First Crescent. During this phase, more than half, but not all, of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible.

What are the names of the Moon phases?

The Moon phases have several names, depending on the time and culture. The most commonly used names for the Moon phases are associated with the European and Native American cultures. The names of the Moon’s phases, based on the Northern Hemisphere, are:

1. New Moon
2. Waxing Crescent
3. First Quarter
4. Waxing Gibbous
5. Full Moon
6. Waning Gibbous
7. Third Quarter
8. Waning Crescent

In some cultures, the New Moon phase is called the Dark Moon. The Waxing Crescent is sometimes called the Young Moon, while the Waning Crescent is referred to as the Old Moon. The Full Moon has many names, such as the Harvest Moon, the Beaver Moon, and the Hunter’s Moon.

How long does each phase of the Moon last?

The duration of each Moon phase varies depending on the time of the year, as the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle. On average, each Moon phase lasts for about 29.5 days, which is the length of a lunar month.

The New Moon phase lasts for one day, the Waxing Crescent lasts for three to four days, the First Quarter phase for about one week, the Waxing Gibbous phase for about one week, and the Full Moon phase for one day. The Waning Gibbous phase lasts for about one week, the Third Quarter phase for about one week, the Waning Crescent phase for three to four days, and the Dark Moon phase for one day.

How can I observe the Moon phases?

The Moon can be easily observed with the naked eye, and no special equipment is required. One can observe the Moon’s illuminated side from anywhere on the Earth, but it can be seen better in areas with clear skies and low light pollution. One can also use binoculars or telescopes for a more detailed view of the Moon’s surface.

Conclusion

The 12 phases of the Moon are a fascinating and ever-present subject of interest for people all over the world. Knowing the names and durations of these phases is not only fun but can also help in better understanding celestial events. By observing the Moon phases regularly, one can gain insights not only into astronomy but also into the natural world around us.