8 Stages of Moon Cycle – Lunar Phases
Phases of the Moon are also known as lunar phases. The moon phases refer to the shape of the moon which is illuminated and seen from the earth. The phases run in a regular cycle according to the moon orbiting the earth. The moon phases are also known as the changing positions of the moon concerning the earth. It is the rotation of the moon around the earth. 123nextfullmoon.com updates on the next full moon dates. You can check out the full moon April 2020 and the full moon tonight for every month. In this post, we will show you all the phases of the moon
As the moon revolves around our planet, the half of the moon that is against the sun gets illuminated. The illuminated portion keeps on taking different shapes. The phases of the moon are the different cycles of the moon. Each phase of the moon is repeated after every 29.5 days. Hence, we see the full moon and blue moon once in a month.
Phases of the Moon Calendar
The phases of the moon are the eight different phases or stages through which the moon goes for a month.
New Moon
New moon phase means the moon is not at all seen from the earth. This phase takes place when the moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth. The solar eclipse can happen only during the new moon.
Waxing Crescent Moon
This is the second phase of the moon. During this phase, the moon looks like the shape of a crescent and it keeps on increasing day by day. This phase is seen in the west direction.
First Quarter Moon | Half Moon
This phase is happening when half of the illuminated portion is seen immediately after the waxing crescent moon.
Waxing Gibbous Moon
This waxing gibbous phase of the moon is taking place when more than half of the illuminated portion is seen. Immediately after this phase, the Moon starts increases. This is the period between the first quarter and full moon.
Full Moon Phase
The full moon is the most popular and significant moon phase. It is the stage when we see the moon as completely lit. This occurs when our satellite is on the opposite side. A lunar eclipse can happen at this time.
Waning Gibbous
This phase takes place when more than half of the illuminated part of the moon is visible. After this phase, the shape of the moon starts decreasing.
Last Quarter Moon | Half Moon
When half of the illuminated part is visible, the last quarter moon takes place.
Waning Crescent
During this phase, the moon seems like the crescent. The crescent shape starts decreasing in size after this.
What is Blue Moon
A blue moon is an extra full moon phase that happens in a year’s subdivision. This is called the second full moon in a common moon calendar. This has nothing to do with the colour of the moon. But the colour of the moon appears with a tinge of blue only during certain atmospheric conditions. These conditions may include volcanic eruption on the moon.
We are sure you are now familiar with all the phases of the moon. The moon is significant for us as per many concepts. It is significant from the cultural, religious, ritual, and astronomical point of view. Keep visiting us to learn more about the next full moon, new moon, and moon phases.
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