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Questions and Answers
What phase occurs approximately two weeks after the new moon?
In which phase does the moon rise at sunset and set at sunrise?
Which phase is characterized by less than half of the illuminated side being visible from Earth?
In which phase does the moon rise at sunrise and set at sunset?
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What is the phase that marks the end of the lunar cycle, just before returning to a new moon phase?
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In which phase does the moon rise at noon and set at midnight?
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What causes the phases of the moon?
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How long does it take for the moon to complete one full orbit around Earth?
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During which phase is the moon's illuminated side completely facing away from Earth?
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What is the defining characteristic of the Waxing Gibbous phase?
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At what time of day does the moon rise and set during the First Quarter phase?
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What is the approximate angle between the moon and the sun in the sky during the First Quarter phase?
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Study Notes
Phases of the Moon
The phases of the moon refer to the different appearances of the lunar surface due to its changing position relative to Earth. These phases occur as the moon orbits around Earth, with one complete orbit taking approximately 27.3 days. Here is a description of each phase and what makes them unique:
New Moon
During this phase, the side of the moon facing Earth is not illuminated by sunlight. This results in no visible light being reflected towards us from the moon's near side. A new moon occurs roughly once every month, when the moon's orbital plane intersects our line of sight from Earth.
Waxing Crescent
As the moon moves further along its orbit, part of its illuminated side becomes visible from Earth. This phase is called waxing crescent because more of the moon is 'waxing', or growing, with each passing day since the last new moon.
First Quarter
One week after the new moon, we have reached the first quarter phase. At this point, half of the moon's illuminated face is visible from Earth. The moon rises at noon and sets at midnight. It has moved 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky, which means it appears half-lit.
Waxing Gibbous
After the first quarter, the moon continues to move along its orbit until over half of the illuminated side becomes visible from Earth. This phase is known as waxing gibbous. As the name suggests, more and more of the moon is 'growing' or waxing each day since the last new moon.
Full Moon
Approximately two weeks after the new moon, we reach the full moon phase. During this period, the entire illuminated face of the moon is visible from Earth. The moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, so it remains above the horizon all night.
Waning Gibbous
Following the full moon, the moon begins to wane. In this phase, less than half of the illuminated side is visible from Earth. We call this phase waning gibbous because more of the moon is shrinking, or waning, each day since the last full moon.
Last Quarter
Around three weeks after the new moon, we enter the last quarter phase. Half of the moon's illuminated face is still visible, but opposite to the first quarter. Unlike the previous quarter, the last quarter moon rises at sunrise and sets at sunset.
Third Quarter Moon
This final phase marks the end of the lunar cycle, just before returning back to a new moon phase. At third quarter, the moon is halfway through its phase cycle and half of its illuminated face is visible from Earth. The moon rises at noon and sets at midnight, mirroring the rising and setting times of the first quarter moon.
In summary, the phases of the moon showcase the ever-changing appearance of the lunar surface throughout its monthly orbit. From a barely visible sliver during the new moon to the fully lit sphere during the full moon, these phases help us track time and understand Earth's relationship to our nearest celestial neighbor.
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Description
Learn about the different phases of the moon and how they occur throughout its monthly orbit. From the new moon to the full moon and back again, each phase brings a unique appearance of the lunar surface. Explore the characteristics of each phase and their significance in tracking time and Earth's relationship with the moon.
