Phases of the Moonby,

Drew Harris

New MoonThe first phase of the moon is new

moon. It can’t be seen with the naked eye, so it’s basically just black like this.

Waxing CrescentThe second phase of the moon has

grown just a little bit since the new moon- just so much that you can see it.

Waxing and WaningIf the moon says “waxing” it is still

“growing.” If it says “waning” then it is “shrinking.”

Waxing = on the right side

Waning = on the left side

First QuarterThe first quarter moon is the right half

of a full moon. It comes after waxing crescent.

Waxing GibbousThe moon phase we call waxing gibbous

is ¾ of the way full and it is still growing. We know this because, as I said earlier, “waxing” means growing.

Full MoonThe full moon phase of the moon is the

most commonly known phase. It is just a plain, whole moon.

Waning GibbousWaning Gibbous is shrinking and has barely

shrunk at all. It is the phase after Full Moon. It is a lot like Waxing Gibbous.

Third QuarterThe Third Quarter Moon is like the First

Quarter Moon. It’s basically like this. The dark side is light and the light side is dark.

Waning CrescentThe moon phase Waning Crescent is

basically the opposite of Waxing Crescent. What is on the right is on the left instead.

New Moon again?Then it goes back to New Moon and the

process starts over.It takes approximately one month for us

to see all the different moon phases.