Moon cycles occur every 29.5 days. There are eight distinct phases of the moon in a lunar cycle as shown below. In addition, each full moon is given a name - see Full Moon Names for more information.
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New Moon phase - The Moon lies between the Earth and the Sun. Because the Sun is "behind" the Moon, the moon is unlit.
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Waxing Crescent Moon phase - As the Moon moves along its orbit, it appears as a crescent on the right side. As the visible part of the Moon grows, it is said to be waxing.
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First Quarter Moon phase - The Moon has now completed a quarter of its orbit and appears as a half circle.
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Waxing Gibbous Moon phase - When more than half of the sunlit side is visible and growing, the Moon is said to be gibbous.
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Full Moon phase - The Moon is at the second quarter of its orbit. The Earth lies between the Moon and the Sun, and the entire face of the Moon is lit. When there are two Full Moons in a month, the second one is called a "Blue Moon".
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Waning Gibbous Moon phase - As the sunlit side of the Moon turns away, the Moon begins to wane or diminish.
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Last Quarter Moon phase - The Moon reaches the third quarter of its orbit and appears as a half circle again.
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Waning Crescent Moon phase - The visible portion of the Moon dwindles to a crescent again.
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