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The phase (shape) is due to the position of the sun relative to the Earth and sun. When the Earth is between the sun & the moon, it casts a shadow on the moon's surface - changing the shape of the lighted segment.

The difference in size is caused by the path of the moon around the earth. It orbits in an ellipse (egg-shape) - not a circle. This varies the distance from the earth - the closer it is, the larger it appears.

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11y ago

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