Lunar Phases

Lunar phases are the different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth, caused by our viewpoint changing as the Moon orbits the planet. The cycle includes new moon (invisible), waxing phases (growing illumination), full moon (fully visible), and waning phases (diminishing illumination). These phases depend on the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, with sunlight reflecting off the Moon’s surface visible from Earth. The entire cycle takes about 29.5 days, giving us regular changes in the Moon’s appearance that are predictable and tied to the Moon’s orbit.