The full lunar cycle takes a full 29.5 days to complete, but the moon only takes 27.3 days.The moon will be waxing and waning and decreasing in size until it disappears.There are clues hidden in the moon's shape that can be used to determine if it is waxing or waning during the cycle.This can give you information about the moon's phase, the tides, and where it is in relation to the Earth and the sun.Knowing whether the moon is waxing or waning is easy with simple astronomy tricks.
Step 1: Understand the names of the phases.
The moon is illuminated by different angles of the Earth.The moon shines when it reflects the sun's light.The moon is marked by its crescent and gibbous shapes as it transitions from new to full and back to new again.The moon phases are Waxing crescent, gibbous, and half moon.
Step 2: Understand what phases mean.
The moon goes through the same monthly phases as it travels around the Earth.From our perspective on Earth, we see the illuminated portion of the moon differently as it moves around us.Half of the moon is illuminated by the sun and it is our vantage point on Earth that determines what phase we see.The moon is not illuminated from our perspective because it is between the Earth and the sun.The illuminated side of the moon completely faces the sun, and we can see the side that is in full shadow.Half of the moon is illuminated and the other half is shadowed during the first quarter.The sides we see are different in the third quarter.When the moon is full, the illuminated half faces out into space, while the shadowed side faces in.After the full moon, the moon goes back to its original position between the Earth and the sun, which is a new moon.The moon takes 27.32 days to complete a revolution around the Earth.The time it takes the moon to return to its position between the sun and Earth is 29.5 days.
Step 3: There is a reason why the moon is waxing and waning.
The waxing phase is when we see a growing portion of the illuminated half on the moon's journey from a new moon to a full moon.waning means decreasing in strength or intensity when the moon goes from full to new again.Although the moon may appear in different locations and orientations in the sky, you will always be able to identify what phase it is in if you know what to look for.
Step 4: The moon fades from right to left.
During waxing and waning, different parts of the moon are illuminated.In the Northern Hemisphere, the part of the moon that is illuminated will appear to grow from right to left until it is full.On the right side of the moon, there will be a waxing moon and a waning moon.The palm of your hand is facing the sky.The thumb and forefingers make a curve.If you hold the moon in your left hand, it will fit in the "C" curve.
Step 5: D, O, C, remember.
The shape of the letters D, O, and C can be used to determine if the moon is waxing or waning.The moon will look like a D during the first quarter.It will look like a C when it is in the third quarter.A gibbous moon in the shape of a D is waning.A crescent moon is waning.
Step 6: When the moon sets and rises, you can learn.
The moon varies depending on what phase it is in.The time of moonrise and moonset can be used to determine if the moon is waxing or waning.You can not see a new moon because it is not seen by the sun and it rises and sets at the same time.The waxing moon will rise in the morning and set around midnight as it moves into its first quarter.When the sun goes down, full moons come up.The moon will rise at midnight and set in the morning as it moves into its third quarter.
Step 7: Which part of the moon is illuminated during waxing and waning.
In opposition to the moon in the Northern Hemisphere, the southern moon will illuminate from left to right and then diminish from right to left.A moon that is illuminated on the right side is waning, while another moon is waxing.The palm of your hand is facing the sky.If the moon fits in the curve, it's a waning moon.The moon will fit in the "C" curve if you do the same with your left hand.
Step 8: You should remember C, O, D.
The shapes of the letters that indicate waxing and waning are different in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.A crescent moon in the shape of a C is waxing a gibbous moon.There is a full moon.A gibbous moon in the shape of a D is waning.A crescent moon is waning.
Step 9: When the moon rises and sets, you can learn.
The moon will rise and set at the same times in the southern and northern hemispheres.The moon will rise in the morning and set at night.The sun sets and sets the full moon.The moon will rise at midnight and set in the morning.