moon phases

New Moon - The moon is not illuminated by direct sunlight.

Waxing Crescent - The visible moon is partly, but less than 1/2, illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.

First Quarter - 1/2 of the moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.

Waxing Gibbous - Is more than 1/2, but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.

Full Moon - The viaible moon fully illuminated by direct sunlight.

Waning Gibbous - Is less than fully, but more tha 1/2, illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.

Last Quarter - 1/2 of the moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.

Waning Cresent - The moon is partly, but less than 1/2, illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.

                                            Full Moon Names

January - Wolf Moon                                       February - Snow Moon or Storm Moon

March - Worm Moon                                       April - Pink Moon or Seed Moon

May - Flower Moon or Hare Moon                    June - Strawberry Moon or Dyad Moon

July - Buck Moon or Mead Moon                      August - Sturgeon Moon

September - Harvest Moon                               October - Hunter's Moon or Blood Moon

November - Beaver Moon or Snow Moon          December - Cold Moon or Oak Moon

Blue Moon - When 2 full moons occur in a lunar month the 2nd full moon is called a Blue Moon