A “phase” of the moon is the moon’s appearance. Sometimes also called lunar phases, these phases can change constantly. For example, sometimes the moon can change from a vivid bright circle to a dark circle with a blurry outline. The phases go in a cycle, which usually lasts for a month before restarting.
The moon appears in different sizes because of the Earth. The moon does not produce its own light. The Sun gives off light that reflects on the moon. However, the Earth is often between the moon and the Sun. The area that Earth blocks is not reached to the moon, leaving a dark spot on one side. In some cases, the Earth is not blocking the sunlight from the moon at all, so there would be a bright circle in the sky. In other circumstances, the Earth would cover the moon completely, not letting any light pass through. In that case, the moon would be completely dark. In very clear weather, you can actually see the dark moon.
The moon’s phases go from dark to bright then to dark. In the first phase of the moon is the new moon phase. The moon is completely dark. Then, after about 4 days, there would be the waxing crescent phase. This phase looks like an eyebrow, when the moon is just lighting up a bit on one side. Next is the first quarter phase. During this phase, one fourth of the moon is lit up. Second, there is the waxing gibbous phase. This phase happens when the moon is mostly lit up, though not all. About three fourths are probably covered with sunlight. After that is the full moon phase. During this phase, the whole moon is lit up completely. As the moon is gradually getting covered again, it enters the waning gibbous phase. The whole moon would decrease into a three fourth lit moon again. Nearing to the end, the moon enters the last quarter phase. This is when the moon starts going back into the dark. Only one fourth is lit now. Finally, the moon goes into its last stage. It is the waning crescent phase. The moon would be as thin as an eyebrow again. Then, the whole moon phase cycle restarts, starting with the new moon phase.
Of all the moon phases, my favorite phase is the waxing gibbous phase. First, the waxing gibbous phase gives the brightness and hope for a person with depression. The brightness of the moon can always calm down a sad person. The phase could also bring hope whilst there is hope that the moon is going to turn into a bright, round, and perfect circle. Second, the shape of the phase looks good. It is a round but imperfect circle. The moon would look like it was a planet cut roundly and smoothly in half. Last but not least, you can see the dark outline of the moon if the night is clear. The dark outline looks smooth and neat.
To sum up, a phase of the moon is an unique appearance of the moon. This happens because the Earth is blocking light from the sun to the moon, leaving a dark side. The order of phases from beginning to end is the new moon phase, waxing crescent phase, first quarter phase, waxing gibbous phase, full moon phase, waning gibbous phase, last quarter phase, waning crescent phase. Of all these phases, my favorite one is the waxing gibbous phase.
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