Interested in the Moon Phases? So is our Scientist Wendy, want to know more just ask SciOfficerWendy@e-corps.org

The movie is an animated GIF created by Antonio Cidadao from a sequence of still images taken during March and April 1998. more

The sequence of the phase occurrence (starting from New Moon), is listed below.

  New Moon – The Moon’s un-illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse).

  Waxing Crescent – The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is increasing.

  First Quarter – One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is increasing.

  Waxing Gibbous – The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is increasing.

  Full Moon – The Moon’s illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight.

  Waning Gibbous – The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

  Last Quarter – One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

 Waning Crescent – The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Following the waning crescent is the new moon as the cycle begins again.

Phases for the next year 

Find the Astronomical Almanac online here

Why do we care?  TIDES…