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What happens to the moon as it goes through the lunar cycle?

The moon cycle refers to the moon's orbit around Earth. As the moon orbits the planet, we observe changes it its appearance; however, no real change happens on the moon! In fact, our observation of the moon's appearance is related to the changing alignment of the sun, the earth, and the moon.


When the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, we experience the moon as a new moonwhich looks as if...

The moon cycle refers to the moon's orbit around Earth. As the moon orbits the planet, we observe changes it its appearance; however, no real change happens on the moon! In fact, our observation of the moon's appearance is related to the changing alignment of the sun, the earth, and the moon.


When the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, we experience the moon as a new moon which looks as if no moon is in the sky at all. On the contrary, the moon is in the sky, but it not lit by the sun on the side that faces Earth (the opposite side is lit). During a full moon, the Earth is positioned between the moon and the sun, which allows sunlight to reach the surface of the moon that faces the planet. During a full moon, the sun illuminates the moon so that we experience it in all its brightness. It's important to note that no change occurs on the moon - it's only our experience that is changed.


Of course, the moon isn't full one night and invisible the next - it takes approximately 28 days for the moon to complete a full lunar cycle. During this time the moon will appear to go from invisible to full in a stage called waxing. After we observe the moon in its full form, we will experience the moon's waning period, in which the view from Earth is slowly lost.


To better understand the moon's lunar cycle (and our perception of it) visit the link below and check out the included chart.


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