Lunar Phases

Lunar Phases

The Moon does not produce its own light but instead reflects sunlight. As the Moon orbits Earth, different portions of its illuminated side become visible from Earth, creating the lunar phases. The complete cycle of lunar phases takes approximately 29.5 days. It includes eight distinct phases: new moon, waxing...

The Moon doesn’t shine on its own—it reflects light from the Sun. So, when the Moon orbits Earth, we see different parts of the lit side, which creates its phases.

The cycle begins with the New Moon phase when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun. We can’t see the Moon because its lit side faces away from us.

As the Moon moves furth...