Moon phases explained
The eight Moon phases[1]
The following information is adapted for the southern hemisphere from https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/
New: We cannot see the Moon when it is a new moon.
Waxing Crescent: In the Southern Hemisphere, we see the waxing crescent phase as a thin crescent of light on the left.
First Quarter: We see the first quarter phase as a half moon.
Waxing Gibbous: The waxing gibbous phase is between a half moon and full moon. Waxing means it is getting bigger.
Full: We can see the Moon completely illuminated during full moons.
Waning Gibbous: The waning gibbous phase is between a full moon and a half moon. Waning means it is getting smaller.
Third Quarter: We see the third quarter moon as a half moon, too. It is the opposite half as illuminated in the first quarter moon.
Waning Crescent: In the Southern Hemisphere, we see the waning crescent phase as a thin crescent of light on the right.
The Moon displays these eight phases one after the other as it moves through its cycle each month. It takes about 27.3 days for the Moon to orbit Earth. However, because of how sunlight hits the Moon, it takes about 29.5 days to go from one new moon to the next new moon.
The full Moon names highlight significant natural or cultural events occurring during the month in which the full Moon is visible.
February was traditionally the month in which it was most likely to snow in the Northern Hemisphere, and so February’s full Moon is known as the Snow Moon.
A blood moon is a popular term for a total lunar eclipse, occurring when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a reddish, copper-coloured shadow on the lunar surface. This red colour is caused by Rayleigh scattering, where Earth’s atmosphere filters sunlight, scattering blue light and bending red light onto the Moon
A supermoon is a full (or new) moon that occurs when the Moon is at or near its closest point to Earth, known as perigee. This proximity makes it appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a standard full moon, though this difference is often subtle.
A Blue Moon is the second full moon in a single calendar month or the third of four full moons in a single season, typically occurring every 2–3 years. Despite the name, the Moon does not actually turn blue in colour. It looks like a normal full moon.