🔭 Astronomy Articles

Why the Moon Has Phases

By VOKZAN | Updated 2025
<2>It's All About Angle

The moon doesn't change shape - it only appears different because of our viewing angle as it orbits Earth. Half is always lit by the sun.

The Cycle

As the moon orbits, we see different amounts of its lit side: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, and so on.