Frequently Used Moon Definitions And Terms
New Moon -- when the Moon is not illuminated by direct sunlight.
Waxing Crescent -- occurs when the visible Moon is partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.
First Quarter -- when one-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.
Waxing Gibbous -- when the Moon is more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.
Full Moon -- when the visible Moon is fully illuminated by direct sunlight.
Waning Gibbous -- the Moon is less than fully but more than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.
Last Quarter -- is when one-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.
Waning Crescent -- occurs when the Moon is partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.