Mondzyklen

Mondzyklen, also known as lunar cycles, refer to the recurring sequence of phases of the Moon as seen from Earth. These phases are determined by the changing angles at which the Sun illuminates the Moon as it orbits our planet. The entire cycle, from one New Moon to the next, takes approximately 29.5 days to complete, a period known as a synodic month.

The most prominent phases include the New Moon, when the Moon is not visible as it is between the Earth and the Sun; the Waxing Crescent, a sliver of light that grows each night; the First Quarter, when half of the Moon is illuminated; the Waxing Gibbous, when more than half is illuminated; the Full Moon, when the entire face of the Moon is visible; the Waning Gibbous, when the illuminated portion begins to decrease; the Last Quarter, when the opposite half is illuminated; and the Waning Crescent, a diminishing sliver before the cycle repeats.

These cycles have been observed and documented by various cultures throughout history, influencing calendars, agricultural practices, and religious observances. The gravitational pull of the Moon, which varies in strength throughout its cycle due to its elliptical orbit and the changing alignment with the Sun, is also responsible for phenomena such as tides. While the visual phases are a constant, the precise timing and appearance of lunar events like eclipses are also tied to the complex orbital mechanics of the Earth-Moon system.