The phases of the Moon are caused by its orbit around Earth, which changes the portion of the Moon illuminated by the Sun that we can see from Earth. As the Moon travels through its 29.5-day cycle, we observe different phases, ranging from new moon to full moon and back.
The Moon’s phases are a result of its position relative to Earth and the Sun. At any given time, half of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun. However, as the Moon orbits Earth, the angle at which sunlight hits the Moon changes, altering the visible portion of the illuminated half. This interplay of light and shadow creates the familiar lunar phases.
The lunar cycle begins with the new moon, when the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, making it nearly invisible from Earth. As it moves along its orbit, the waxing crescent phase appears, followed by the first quarter, where half of the Moon is visible. The Moon continues to wax until it reaches the full moon phase, with its entire face illuminated. Afterward, the Moon wanes through the third quarter and waning crescent phases, eventually returning to the new moon. Understanding these phases is crucial not only for astronomy but also for various cultural and agricultural practices tied to the lunar calendar.
