Phases of the Moon

The Moon goes through eight distinct phases as it orbits Earth, influenced by its position relative to the Sun and our planet. It starts with the New Moon, where it's invisible to us. As it moves, we see a Waxing Crescent, then the First Quarter, and a Waxing Gibbous, until it reaches Full Moon, where it’s fully illuminated. After that, it transitions through the Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent phases. This cycle takes about 29.5 days and is a natural part of the Moon’s orbit, affecting tides and lighting our night sky.