What Moon Phase Comes After First Quarter?

The moon has always been a fascination and a significant subject of study. From ancient times to date, people have been interested in the different cycles and phases of the moon. One of the most prominent phases of the moon is the first quarter, after which the question arises, what moon phase comes after the first quarter? Let’s explore and decode the moon’s phases in more detail.

Moon Phases

The moon has eight main phases, and it takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one cycle. From a new moon to a full moon, it covers four primary stages: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Third Quarter. The other four intermediate phases occur between the primary phases and are known as Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous, and Waning Crescent.

Understanding the First Quarter of the Moon Phase

Before understanding the next phase after the first quarter, let’s break down the first quarter’s moon phase. A first quarter moon is also known as half moon, as it appears as a semi-circle, meaning one-half is lit, and the other is in shadows. During the first quarter, the moon appears in the western part of the sky, and it’s at a 90-degree angle from the sun.

The Moon Phase That Follows the First Quarter

After the first quarter, the next phase of the moon is a waxing gibbous. In simple terms, the waxing gibbous phase is a phase when the moon is more than half full but has not yet reached a full moon. During this phase, the moon’s illuminated portion is continually increasing, and the light part of the moon visibly shifts from the western side to the eastern side.

The Key Differences between First Quarter and Waxing Gibbous Moon Phases

While the first quarter and waxing gibbous may look pretty similar, there are some key differences between these two phases. During the first quarter, only half the moon appears lit, and the lit part appears on the western horizon. In contrast, the waxing gibbous phase occurs when the moon is more than half-lit, and the lit part appears on the eastern horizon. In addition, the waxing phase between the first quarter and full moon phases, the lit portion of the moon slowly increases from less than half full to completely full.

What Moon Phase Comes After First Quarter? An In-Depth Guide

If you are interested in the Moon or astrology, one question that might come to your mind is “What moon phase comes after first quarter?” Understanding the lunar cycle can be fascinating, but it can also be confusing, especially for beginners. In this blog post, we will answer this question and provide you with some useful information about the different phases of the moon.

What is the Lunar Cycle?

The Moon has a natural cycle that takes 29.5 days to complete. During this time, the Moon goes through different phases or shapes as seen from Earth. These phases are the result of the position of the Moon relative to the Sun and the Earth. As the Moon orbits around the Earth, different parts of it are illuminated by sunlight, and this causes the different phases of the Moon.

What is First Quarter?

First Quarter is the lunar phase that occurs approximately one week after the New Moon. At this point, the Moon appears as a half-circle from Earth, with the right-hand side illuminated. The position of the Moon at this phase is such that it is exactly 90 degrees away from the Sun and the Earth, and this is why it is called First Quarter.

What Moon Phase Comes After First Quarter?

After the First Quarter phase, the Moon continues its journey around the Earth, and the illuminated portion continues to increase. The next phase of the Moon is called Waxing Gibbous, and it occurs approximately seven to eight days after the First Quarter. Waxing Gibbous is when the Moon appears to be more than half full but not quite fully illuminated.

What is Waxing Gibbous?

Waxing Gibbous is the lunar phase that occurs between First Quarter and Full Moon. During this phase, the illuminated portion of the Moon continues to increase, reaching up to 99% illumination. The name for this phase comes from the Middle English word “gibbous,” meaning hump-backed, which describes the shape of the Moon at this phase. You can easily observe the Waxing Gibbous phase with the naked eye, and it is quite an exciting sight to see.

What Comes After Waxing Gibbous?

After Waxing Gibbous comes the Full Moon. This is the phase when the entire face of the Moon appears to be illuminated by the Sun. The Full Moon is a beautiful sight and has been revered in cultures around the world for centuries. It is commonly associated with myths and legends, and some people claim that it has a significant impact on human behavior.

What Moon Phase Comes After First Quarter?

If you are an amateur astronomer or simply a curious person who is interested in the moon and its various phases, knowing what moon phase comes after first quarter is essential. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through what the moon phase is, what first quarter means, and what moon phase follows first quarter.

Moon Phases: An Overview

The moon’s appearance changes in a predictable pattern as it orbits around the Earth. This pattern is known as the moon phase, which describes the moon’s illuminated shape as seen from Earth. The moon’s phases are determined by its position in relation to the Earth and the Sun.

There are eight primary moon phases:

• New Moon
• Waxing Crescent
• First Quarter
• Waxing Gibbous
• Full Moon
• Waning Gibbous
• Last Quarter
• Waning Crescent

It takes approximately 29.5 days for the moon to complete one orbit of the Earth, resulting in a lunar month. During this time, the moon goes through all eight phases.

Understanding First Quarter

The first quarter moon phase occurs when the moon has completed approximately one-quarter of its orbit around the Earth. During this phase, the moon appears as a half-circle shape and is often referred to as a half moon.

The first quarter moon rises around noon and sets at midnight. At this phase, the illuminated part of the moon faces eastward, which is why it appears like a semi-circle shape.

What Moon Phase Comes After First Quarter?

After the first quarter moon phase, the moon enters the waxing gibbous phase. During this phase, the moon is illuminated between 50% and 99%. The term “waxing” means that the moon’s illuminated surface is increasing in size.

During this phase, the moon takes on a shape that is larger than the half-moon that is seen during the first quarter phase. The difference is that the illuminated portion of the moon grows gradually until it reaches full illumination during the full moon phase.

Conclusion

Now that you understand what moon phase comes after first quarter, you can easily track the moon’s progression throughout the lunar month. Remember that the waxing gibbous phase follows the first quarter and that the illuminated portion of the moon grows larger until it reaches full illumination during the full moon phase.

By understanding the different phases of the moon, you can predict lunar events such as eclipses and understand the lunar calendar. This knowledge is beneficial for both amateur astronomers and anyone who simply enjoys observing the beauty of the natural world.