Phases of the Moon
The Lunar Cycle
Over the 29.5-day lunar cycle, the moon passes through all of its phases:
- New moon
- Waxing crescent
- First quarter
- Waxing gibbous
- Full moon
- Waning gibbous
- Last quarter
- Waning crescent
. . . and back to the new moon again. During each cycle, the moon keeps the same face toward Earth. The lunar cycle is the basis of the calendar month.
The phases of the moon.