the Moon’s phases provides insight into the celestial mechanics of our nearest neighbor and has fascinated humanity for millennia. The Moon progresses through a series of phases over approximately 29.5 days, known as the lunar cycle. These phases are primarily categorized as New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter, with intermediate stages like Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous, and Waning Crescent.
The Eight Phases of the Moon:
New Moon: The Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.
Waxing Crescent: A sliver of the Moon becomes visible, increasing (waxing) each night.
First Quarter: Half of the Moon’s surface is illuminated, occurring approximately a week after the New Moon.
Waxing Gibbous: More than half is illuminated, leading up to the Full Moon.
Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated, appearing as a complete circle.
Waning Gibbous: Following the Full Moon, the illuminated portion begins to decrease (waning).
Last (Third) Quarter: Again, half of the Moon’s surface is illuminated, but now the opposite half compared to the First Quarter.
Waning Crescent: A diminishing sliver remains until it transitions back to the New Moon.
These phases result from the changing angles between the Earth, Moon, and Sun as the Moon orbits Earth.
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Notable Lunar Events in 2025:
Total Lunar Eclipses: Two total lunar eclipses are anticipated. The first will occur on March 13–14, 2025, visible across North America, and the second on September 7, 2025, visible in parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
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Supermoons: A Super Full Moon is expected on November 5, 2025, when the Moon appears larger and brighter due to its closer proximity to Earth.