The Moon goes through a cycle of eight distinct phases as it orbits Earth, each offering a unique view of its illuminated surface.

The cycle kicks off with the new moon, when the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, leaving its illuminated side hidden from our view. As it moves along its orbit, a sliver of light appears, marking the waxing crescent phase. This is when the Moon starts to reveal itself, growing in visibility each night.

As the Moon continues its journey, it reaches the first quarter phase, where half of its surface is illuminated and visible from Earth. This is followed by the waxing gibbous phase, where more than half of the Moon is lit up, but it has not yet reached its full illumination. This phase is a prelude to the grand spectacle of the full moon.

The full moon is the pinnacle of the lunar cycle, with the entire face of the Moon illuminated and visible from Earth. After this peak, the Moon enters the waning gibbous phase, where the light starts to diminish. This marks the beginning of a gradual retreat as the Moon prepares to complete its cycle.

The last quarter phase sees the Moon once again half lit, but this time it is the opposite side from the first quarter. Finally, the waning crescent phase brings the cycle to a close, with just a thin crescent of light visible before the Moon returns to its new moon position, ready to start the cycle anew.