Lunar Phases

The apparent shapes of the Moon as seen from the Earth, which are caused by the Moon's orbit of the Earth once every 29.5 days. The same phase will fall on the same date of the year according to the Saros cycle, every 18 years, 11 days, and eight hours. See our moon phases page for more information.

Resources

 Frequently Asked Questions: Phenomena, Myths and Fallacies

Radio Programs

 Moon and Companions Reflections on a quarter Moon Sunday, January 15, 2012
More Moon and Venus Changing the face of the Moon Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Hunter’s Moon Giving the Moon a two-faced appearance Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Calendars Following the cycles of the sky Friday, September 23, 2011
Harvest Moon Balancing the Harvest Moon Sunday, September 11, 2011
New Moon Blazing through the lunar night Friday, July 1, 2011
First-Quarter Moon Half a Moon equals a quarter Monday, April 11, 2011
Harvest Moon A beautiful astronomical coincidence Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Blue Moon A once-in-a-blue-moon event Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Apollo Moon A journey to an ancient lava plain Monday, July 6, 2009
Short-Night Moon The Moon hurries across the sky Sunday, June 7, 2009
Moon and Venus The Moon scurries on Thursday, February 26, 2009
Long-Night Moon Some long nights of moonlight Thursday, December 11, 2008
First-Quarter Moon Quartering up the Moon Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hunter's Moon Hunting up a popular full Moon Tuesday, October 14, 2008
New Moon The bright dark side of the Moon Monday, September 29, 2008
Harvest Moon Harvesting some extra moonlight Sunday, September 14, 2008
Apollo Moon The Apollo Moon brightens the sky Friday, July 18, 2008
Moon and Jupiter A little bright moonlight for a June night Thursday, June 19, 2008
First-Quarter Moon Slicing up an extreme Moon Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Featured Images

 Lunar Sunrise Friday, June 12, 2009
Lots of Moonlight Thursday, December 11, 2008

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