How does the crescent phase that precedes the new moon differ from the crescent phase that follows the new moon?

Answer 1

A waning crescent is the phase in which the visible (illuminated) Moon is shrinking, leading to a New Moon (all dark). The open end of the crescent is facing away from the rising sun.

A waxing crescent is the phase following a New Moon during which more of the visible face is being illuminated, leading toward a Full Moon. The open end of the crescent is facing away from the setting sun.

(These directions do not vary by hemisphere as do the conventions of left and right.)

Answer 2

The first crescent after New Moon and last crescent after New Moon appear on opposite "sides" or edges of the moon's disk.

Viewed from here in the USA, the crescent at the beginning of the cycle of phases, after New Moon, is on the right-hand side of the moon. The crescent at the end of the cycle, before New Moon, is on the left-hand side.

Answer 3

The phases of the Moon are easy to remember. Starting with the New Moon (which is not seen, because it's right next to the Sun in the sky), they are:

Waxing crescent. "Waxing" means "growing larger". The moon will be "waxing" for about two weeks until the full moon.

First Quarter, when half of the visible side of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun. The first quarter moon rises about noon, and will be high in the sky by sunset. It will set around midnight.

Waxing gibbous. "Waxing" still means "growing larger", and "gibbous" is more than half illuminated but not quite full.

Full Moon. The entire near face of the Moon is lit up. When the Moon is exactly, precisely, and directly full, we'll often see a lunar eclipse. The full moon rises when the Sun sets.

Waning gibbous. "Waning" means "shrinking", and the Moon will be waning forabout 14 days

until the new moon.

Third quarter; again, half the visible face of the Moon is lit up. The third quarter moon rises around midnight and sets at approximately noon.

Waning crescent; Less than half, and decreasing.

And back to "New Moon", which rises when the Sun does, and sets when the Sun sets. If the Moon is precisely "new", we may have a solar eclipse.

Answer 4

One is Crescent (waxing), the other is Crescent (waning).