How to Tell if it is a Waxing or a Waning Crescent Moon

It is very easy to tell whether that slice of Moon you see up in the night sky is waxing (or about to go into the Full Moon phase) or waning (is actually going smaller or going to disappear into the New Moon phase). Just follow these four easy steps below!

To review, the main phases of the Moon are: the New Moon, the waxing moon/crescent, First Quarter, the Full Moon, the Last Quarter, the waning moon/crescent, cycling back into the New Moon again and the cycle repeats again.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear night sky
• Good pair of eyes
• Proper outerwear for warm or cold weather

1. Observe the Moon. What is its shape? Is it round and full? Then you know that it's a Full Moon tonight. Is it perfectly split in the middle, with one-half well-lit and the other half in the dark? Then the Moon is either in its First or Last Quarter. Whether First or Last uses the same principle as the one we will use to determine waxing or waning later on.

2. Suppose you see a Crescent Moon, or what others call the Sickle Moon, or the Moon shaped like the letter C. If the Crescent Moon resembles the letter C, with the lighted portion facing the left then it is the waning moon or just past the Last Quarter.

3. Know that on the other hand, if the lighted portion faces the right (your right), then you know it's a waxing moon or just about to go into the First Quarter or just about to go into the Full Moon soon.

4. Enjoy your Moon-gazing. It's the same principle with the First and Last Quarters. You know it's the First Quarter if the lighted portion of the Moon is on your right and you know it's already the Last Quarter if the lighted portion of the Moon is already on your left.

[armannitura]

on 12/8/2007 The moon guided or enlighten me today and it is proper to give thanks to it.