lunar phase
Waxing or waning
A lunar phase is one of the distinct appearances the Moon presents as it orbits Earth, determined by how much of its sunlit surface is visible from our vantage point.
The cycle progresses from new moon (invisible) through waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, then waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent before returning to new.
This approximately 29.5-day cycle has guided calendars, agriculture, and religious observances across cultures.
The lunar phase determines the best nights for stargazing.
Unlit lunar phase
- dark moonUnilluminated lunar phase
- conjunctionWord joining clauses together
- moonless nightNight lacking lunar presence
- solar eclipseMoon obscuring the sun
Thin split-off piece
- arcCurved line segment
- cuspPoint of transition
- sickleCurved hand-held harvesting blade
- waxing crescentMoon phase showing enlarging arc
waning crescent · earthshine · young moon · old moon · moonrise
Becoming greater in amount
- growingIncreasing or enlarging
- expandingGrowing in scope
- waxing crescentMoon phase showing enlarging arc
- waxing gibbousMoon over half-lit, enlarging
first quarter · young moon · ascending · building · brightening
Completely lit satellite phase
- supermoonNear-orbit lunar spectacle
- harvest moonFull moon nearest autumn equinox
- blood moonRed-hued total eclipse
- blue moonUncommon lunar event
hunter's moon · wolf moon · roundness · orb · brightest · moonlight · moonstruck · lunacy
Moon over half-lit, enlarging
- waning gibbousMoon more than half-lit, decreasing
- three-quartersSeventy-five percent portion
- bulgingSwelling outward visibly
- convexCurved outward externally
humpbacked · humped · rounded
Becoming smaller or fewer
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
- recedingMoving away from observer
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
fading · waning crescent · waning gibbous · third quarter · last quarter · old moon
Moon's star-relative orbital period
- orbitCurved celestial path
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- recurringHappening repeatedly over time
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
moon cycle · lunisolar · metonic cycle · calendar month · tidal cycle · predictable
Semicircular lunar phase
- first quarterMoon half-visible, growing
- third quarter75% through a cycle
- last quarterHalf-moon after full
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
quadrature · semicircle · 90 degrees · elongation · neap tide · seven days
new moon
Unlit lunar phase
- dark moonUnilluminated lunar phase
- conjunctionWord joining clauses together
- moonless nightNight lacking lunar presence
sliver
Thin split-off piece
waxing crescent · waning crescent · earthshine · young moon · old moon · moonrise
increasing
Becoming greater in amount
- growingIncreasing or enlarging
- expandingGrowing in scope
- waxing crescentMoon phase showing enlarging arc
waxing gibbous · first quarter · young moon · ascending · building · brightening
full moon
Completely lit satellite phase
- supermoonNear-orbit lunar spectacle
- harvest moonFull moon nearest autumn equinox
- blood moonRed-hued total eclipse
blue moon · hunter's moon · wolf moon · roundness · orb · brightest · moonlight · moonstruck · lunacy · mid-autumn
waxing gibbous
Moon over half-lit, enlarging
- waning gibbousMoon more than half-lit, decreasing
- three-quartersSeventy-five percent portion
- bulgingSwelling outward visibly
convex · humpbacked · humped · rounded
decreasing
Becoming smaller or fewer
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
- recedingMoving away from observer
ebbing · fading · waning crescent · waning gibbous · third quarter · last quarter · old moon
sidereal month
Moon's star-relative orbital period
- orbitCurved celestial path
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- recurringHappening repeatedly over time
moon cycle · revolution · lunisolar · metonic cycle · calendar month · tidal cycle · predictable
half moon
Semicircular lunar phase
- first quarterMoon half-visible, growing
- third quarter75% through a cycle
- last quarterHalf-moon after full
dichotomy · quadrature · semicircle · 90 degrees · elongation · neap tide · seven days
- celestial cyclessolar cycle, orbit, eclipse, solstice, equinox
- lunar cyclesfull moon, new moon, crescent moon, half moon, waxing crescent
- moon monthnew moon, full moon, waxing crescent, waning crescent, first quarter
- astrologyastrology, zodiac, horoscope, horoscopes, birth chart
- celestial eventssolar eclipse, meteor shower, eclipse, supernova, aurora borealis
- time unitssecond, minute, hour, seconds, day
lunar phaselunar eclipse
Earth blocks sunlight reaching moon
eclipse · solar eclipse · occultation · transit · meteor shower
lunar, lunatic, lunatics, luna, lunate, lunation, lunar phases, semilunar