The current phase of the Moon

The moon has four basic phases, which are related to its position relative to the sun and Earth: new moon, first quarter, full moon and last quarter.

• New Moon phase - the Moon is in a straight line between the Sun and Earth, which means that its invisible side is illuminated by the Sun, and the visible side is completely darkened.
• First quarter phase - the Moon is halfway between the new and full phase, which means that the visible half of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, and the invisible half is darkened.
• Full phase - the Moon is in a straight line between the Sun and Earth, which means that its visible side is completely illuminated by the Sun, and the invisible side is completely darkened.
• Last quarter phase - the Moon is halfway between the full and new moon phases, which means that the visible half of the Moon is darkened and the invisible half is illuminated by the Sun.

The phases of the moon are a phenomenon in which the visible part of the moon in the sky changes its shape in a cycle of about 29.5 days. The phases of the moon are the result of its orbital motion around the Earth and its own rotation. Depending on the Moon's position relative to the Sun and Earth, different parts of its surface are illuminated by the Sun, resulting in changes in the Moon's visible shape in the sky. The phases of the Moon can be divided into eight main phases, starting with the new moon, when the Moon is completely invisible, through six successive phases, until the full moon, when the Moon is visible as a circular disk. After the full moon, the Moon moves into successive phases until the new moon again.

The phases of the moon have many cultural and symbolic meanings, and are used in navigation and astrology. In addition, the phases of the Moon affect the tides. When the Moon is full or new, so the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned, resulting in stronger tides called full and new tides. When the Moon is in the first or last quarter, i.e. halfway through the cycle, the tides are weaker and called square tides. The phases of the Moon are also used in astronomy, in geological studies of the Moon, and in space research, for example, to plan space missions, when the Moon's phase can affect the effectiveness of such a mission.