What are the Moon Phases?
New Moon When the Moon is not illuminated by direct sunlight. Waxing Crescent Occurs when the visible Moon is partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. First Quarter When one-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. Waxing Gibbous When the Moon is more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. Full Moon When the visible Moon is fully illuminated by direct sunlight. Waning Gibbous The Moon is less than fully but more than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. Last Quarter Is when one-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. Waning Crescent Occurs when the Moon is partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.
