Because mathematically there are 4 quarters in any full cycle. The number 4 is just a convenient way of marking phases. There are actually 8 phases that are commemorated in popular culture. But the main 4 phases of the moon are named "Full, First Quarter, New Moon, and Third Quarter. Then its back to Full again... (the 8 phases that are commonly mentioned are New Crescent just after the New Moon; Old crescent just before the New Moon; Waning Gibbous just after Full Moon; and Waxing Gibbous just before Full Moon. We look at the moon we see only half of it so when only half of that is lit by the sun we are looking at one quarter.
Lunar phases. Also, a full moon can not change into a new moon immidiatly; First it is a full moon, then it becoomes a waning gibbous, then it becomes a last-quarter moon, then it becomes a waning cresent, and then, finally, it turns into a new moon. And then a new moon turns into a waxing cresent, which becomes a 1st-quarter moon, which becomes a waxing gibbous, and then become a full moon again.
Great question!
In describing the phases of the moon, the words "new", "crescent", "gibbous",
and "full" refer to the moon, but "first quarter" and "third quarter" don't. If they
did, then they'd be need to be called something like "left half moon" and "right
half moon".
These labels refer to the time during the cycle of phases when those shapes
appear, beginning with the New Moon.
Beginning with the New Moon, "first quarter" is the point in time after 7.4 days ...
one quarter of the way through the phases ... and "third quarter" is the point in time
after 22.1 days ... three quarters of the way to the next New Moon.
Great question ! We're surprised that it isn't asked moreoften.
The moon appears "half lighted" at two points in the cycle of phases ... at both the
"First Quarter" and "Third Quarter" phases.
Beginning with the time of the New Moon, these two occasions take place at ( 1/4 )
and at ( 3/4 ) of the way through the complete cycle of phases.
The "Quarter" designations refer to the portion of the total cycle that has been completed,
not to the amount of the moon that appears illuminated.
Its just called a new moon and is a moon phase that is part of the moon phase cycle. Usually new moons can't be seen since the whole side of the moon that we can normally see is all dark.
You would call it a waxing gibbous.
That depends where you start counting.
That depends where you start counting.
That depends where you start counting.
That depends where you start counting.
That is because the moon has two sides 1 sometimes facing us and the other also sometimes facing us so when one sides half full it is really a quarter moon facing us
No, A new moon is the phase where you can't see any of the moon, while the full moon is the phase were you can see all of the moon.
a moon is called a moon even when the moon is three quarters full
full moon
A moon between half and full is called 'gibbous'.
full moon
north moon
A blue moon is just what we call a second full moon in a month.
Almost a Full Moon was created in 2001.
umm... full moon light...
Almost 15 days on average.
When the entire visible side of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, we call this a "full moon".
A couple of days either side of Full Moon the Moon looks almost full.
full moon
A moon between half and full is called 'gibbous'.
full moon
A sturgeon moon is a full moon that happens in August.
It is still a full moon no matter if it is the first or second it is still new
A full moon.
Full moon