Moon Cycles

Moon Cycles

https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/moon-phases-calendar/2024/8.html

The moon goes through many phases during its 29.5-day orbit around Earth:

• New moon

  The first phase, when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, so its dark side faces Earth and it's almost invisible.

• Waxing crescent

  Occurs a few days after the new moon, when the moon moves east. Sometimes the rest of the moon is visible due to "earthshine", when the moon reflects sunlight.

• First quarter moon

  Also called a half moon, when half of the moon's dark and light sides are visible. The moon is farther from the sun during this phase, making it easier to see.

• Full moon

  Occurs about two weeks after the new moon, when the moon is behind Earth and the sun hits it, making it appear completely lit.

• Waning gibbous

  After the full moon, the illuminated portion of the moon starts to decrease in size.

• Third quarter

  When half of the moon's illuminated surface is visible from Earth.

• Waning crescentThe final phase before the moon returns to a new moon, when only a small sliver of the moon is visible in the early morning. By the end of the cycle, it's almost completely gone.

The moon's phases can impact ocean tides because the moon's position relative to Earth affects its gravitational pull on water. Full moons and new moons cause the biggest differences between high and low tides.