Moon phases

 

The moon, which is our light source at night, is a very important source for us. The moon is in constant motion, just like the earth. This causes the shapes of the moon to look different. The alignment of the moon and sun in the sky is called the phases of the moon. The side of the moon that is illuminated by the sun is called the phase of the moon. The phase of the moon changes every day. The phases of the moon are in constant motion, but it takes a total of twenty-nine and a half days to complete one full phase.

Beginning as a new moon, the phases of the moon take many forms, from crescent to full moon. The moon is actually a source that reflects the light it receives from the sun to us. That is, the moon has no light of its own.

How are moon phases formed?

The moon, which illuminates the earth with the light it receives from the sun at night, takes place in the orbit of the earth. The fact that the Earth is in motion allows us to see the side of the moon that reflects the sun's light. Due to the constantly moving world, some parts of the moon are visible and some are not. This is explained as the reason for the formation of the phases of the moon. The beginning and the end of the phases of the moon find a total of one month. Completing one phase of the moon takes a week, a total of seven days.

What are moon phases?

The moon, one of the natural satellites of the solar system, has six phases. Reflecting the light it receives from the sun, one side of the moon is bright, while the other side is dark. We also think that some of the moon is visible and some of it is not. When the moon passes between the earth and the sun, it is not visible to the naked eye, and this is called a "new moon".

The new moon is defined as the first phase of the moon. However, there are some exceptional cases where the new moon is seen. For example, the new moon may appear from the earth during a solar eclipse. After the new moon, the moon goes into the "crescent" phase. The moon takes the shape of a crescent when it is east of the sun. The crescent shape is briefly visible to the west after sunset. Afterwards, the moon moves into its other phase, the "first quarter" phase.

About two weeks after the new moon phase, the moon passing into this phase appears as a semicircle. During the first quarter, the moon faces the sun at a 90-degree angle. After the first four, the moon passes into the "bulging moon" phase, and faces the sun between 90 and 180 degrees in this phase. After this phase, the moon becomes a 'full moon'. During this phase, the moon appears as a full circle and is bright and full. The most beloved and glamorous aspect of the moon is during the full moon. This phase of the moon, which passes into its last phase after the full moon, is called the "last quarter".

When viewed from the earth, it is seen that the left half of the moon is illuminated. The Moon completes one full cycle by passing into its last phase, that is, the last quarter phase, in twenty-nine and a half days from the new moon. After this completion, it goes back to the new moon phase and completes all phases continuously. If we list the phases of the moon as a list, we can explain it as follows;

• New month

The moon is in its first phase. It is not visible from the earth except during a solar eclipse.

• Crescent

The second phase of the moon, the crescent, appears as the sun goes down.

• First Quarter

In its third phase, the moon takes the shape of a semicircle.

• Bulging Moon

In this phase, the moon is in its fourth phase and is 90 degrees opposite the sun.

• Full Moon

The moon in the fifth phase has a full and very bright appearance during the full moon.

• Last Quarter

When the moon is in its final phase, it is seen that the left half of the earth is illuminated when viewed from the earth.