Question

what are the different phases of moon ?During which phase of the moon does a
lunar eclipse occur?​

Answer 1

Explanation:

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, sun and moon align in space, with Earth between the sun and moon. At such times, Earth's shadow falls on the full moon, darkening the moon's face and – at mid-eclipse – sometimes turning it a coppery red.

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Answer 2

Explanation:

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, sun and moon align in space, with Earth between the sun and moon. At such times, Earth’s shadow falls on the full moon, darkening the moon’s face and – at mid-eclipse – sometimes turning it a coppery red.

A solar eclipse happens at the opposite phase of the moon – new moon – when the moon passes between the sun and Earth.

Why aren’t there eclipses at every full and new moon?

The moon takes about a month to orbit around the Earth. If the moon orbited in the same plane as the ecliptic – Earth’s orbital plane – we would have a minimum of two eclipses every month. There’d be an eclipse of the moon at every full moon. And, one fortnight (approximately two weeks) later there’d be an eclipse of the sun at new moon for a total of at least 24 eclipses every year.

Half of the Moon’s surface is always illuminated by sunlight. However, just how much of that light we can see from our point of view on Earth varies every day and this is what we refer to as a Moon phase.

Illustration of the eight phases of the Moon with an arrow showing the order they appear in, seen from Earth.

The eight phases of the Moon.

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Sun Lights Up the Moon

The Moon does not radiate its own light, but the Moon's surface reflects the Sun’s rays.

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Primary and Intermediate Phases

In Western Culture, we divide the lunar month into four primary and four intermediate Moon phases.

Technically, the primary Moon phases occur at a specific moment in time, and the intermediate Moon phases take up the time in between.

Opposite phases on the far side of the Moon

New Moon

Illustration of the Moon's position in space in relation to Earth and the Sun at New Moon.

The Moon's position in space at New Moon.

@timeanddate.com

New Moon is the first primary phase and it occurs the moment when the Sun and Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon.

A New Moon cannot normally be seen from Earth since only the dark side of the Moon faces our planet at this point. Sometimes, if the New Moon is close to the Lunar nodes of its path, it can cause a Solar Eclipse.

The greatest difference between high and low tide, also known as spring tides, takes place around New Moon and Full Moon.

Waxing Crescent Moon

The moment a thin sliver of the Moon becomes visible after New Moon is the beginning of the first intermediate phase, the Waxing Crescent Moon.

In the past, this used to be called New Moon while the darkest phase was called Dark Moon. This traditional definition of New Moon is still in use in some cultures, defining the beginning of the months for instance in the Islamic calendar.

The rest of the Moon is also sometimes faintly visible during most of this phase because Earth also reflects sunlight onto the Moon. This phenomenon is called earthshine or Da Vinci glow, and it is most noticeable in April and May.

First Quarter Moon

Illustration of the Moon's position in space in relation to Earth and the Sun at First Quarter Moon

First Quarter Moon is the second primary phase.

First Quarter Moon is the second primary Moon phase and it is defined as the moment the Moon has reached the first quarter of its orbit around Earth, hence the name. It is also called Half Moon as we can see exactly 50% of the Moon's surface illuminated. Whether you see the left or right half illuminated, depends on several factors, including your location.

The smallest difference between high and low tide, also known as neap tides, occurs around the 2 Quarter Moons.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

The second intermediate phase, the Waxing Gibbous Moon, lasts until the next primary phase. Waxing means that it is getting bigger. Gibbous refers to the shape, which is larger than the semicircle shape of the Moon at First Quarter, but smaller than a full circle.