Eight Stages Of The Moon Essay

Have you ever wondered why the Moon looks different on certain nights? This is justified through eight phases of the Moon. The Moon makes a complete phase cycle within a month; the exact time is 29.5305882 days. This is called the Synodic period or also referred to as Lunation. From the star's point of view, it takes nearly two days less, giving it a direct instance of 27.3217 days. This is the sidereal period, also known as the orbital period. The eight phases include the New Moon, the Waxing Crescent, the First Quarter, the Waxing Gibbous, the Full Moon, the Waning Gibbous, the Last Quarter and the Waning Crescent. Waning is when the luminous portion of the Moon is shrinking. Waxing is when the luminous part of the
Moon is enlarging. …show more content…
This is why it requires numerous days for the Moon to change phases.
Next, the Waxing Gibbous Moon is the second to most luminous because it comes directly before the Full Moon. It's very bright due to the fact that it receives an abundant amount of sunlight. This Moon sits approximately between 90 and 180 degrees from the Sun and the
Earth. The illuminated part of the Moon is in the shape of the Waning Crescent Moon.
The Full Moon is the most common Moon of all. It is known to have a major impact in life on Earth. During this phase, it receives all the sunlight because the angle that the Moon lies in happens to be a place where the most sunlight is showing. This Moon is one of a kind; it's the only one that shines throughout the night. It lies in a full 180 degrees, respect to the Sun and the
Earth.
The Waning Gibbous is also a very luminous Moon. It is now reversing the process, just on an opposing side. Since it is waning, it is decreasing in size. The Moon is reaching its peak of a cycle. The Waning Gibbous sits between 90 and 180 degrees of the Sun and Moon.
The Last Quarter Moon is the inverse of the First Quarter. The sunlight also