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The phase of the Moon that comes immediately before the new Moon phase is the waning crescent phase.
Waning gibbous, Third Quarter and Waning Crescent are the 'waning' moon phases.
Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter and Waning Crescent.
The moon phase of DECEMBER 26TH 1997 was a WANING CRESCENT
When the moon appears to reduce in size, it is called the "waning" phase. This occurs after the full moon, as the illuminated portion of the moon decreases leading to the new moon phase. The waning phases include the waning gibbous and waning crescent.
"Waning" means that less and less of the moon's lighted side is visible from Earth as time goes on. That's what's happening during the entire two weeks from Full Moon until the next New Moon.
It is "waning gibbous".
New Moon
A waxing Moon can be seen when the Moon is larger in the sky, and is moving from the new Moon phase, and into the full Moon phase. A waning Moon is seen when the Moon is visibly smaller in the sky, and is moving from the full Moon phase, and into the new Moon phase.
Waning Gibbous is the moon phase that comes after the Full Moon.
The Waning Phase in the lunar cycle occurs as the moon shrinks from the Full Moon to the New (Dark) Moon. Note: You can tell when you are in the Waning Phase when the Left Side of the Moon is illuminated. Conversely, if the Right Side is illuminated, the Moon is Waxing.
It is the "waning crescent" phase.