The phases of the Moon
The Moon goes from new to full and back in about 29.5 days (the synodic month). Its age is the number of days since the last new moon.
| Phase | Approx. age | Visible |
|---|---|---|
| New Moon | 0 days | Not visible (near the Sun) |
| Waxing Crescent | 1–6 | Evening, in the west |
| First Quarter | ~7.4 | Afternoon to midnight, half lit |
| Waxing Gibbous | 8–14 | Most of the night |
| Full Moon | ~14.8 | All night, rises at sunset |
| Waning Gibbous | 16–21 | Late evening to morning |
| Last Quarter | ~22.1 | Midnight to midday, half lit |
| Waning Crescent | 23–29 | Before dawn, in the east |