Moonutusomadused

Moonutusomadused, also known as lunar phases or phases of the Moon, refer to the different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth. These phases are caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun. The Moon does not produce its own light; instead, it reflects sunlight. As the Moon orbits Earth, the portion of the Moon that is illuminated by the Sun changes, creating the various phases.

The most well-known phases are the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter. The New Moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side faces away from Earth, making it invisible. The First Quarter phase happens when the Moon is at a 90-degree angle relative to Earth and the Sun, with half of the Moon's illuminated side visible. The Full Moon occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, and its entire illuminated side is visible. The Last Quarter phase is similar to the First Quarter but on the opposite side of the Moon's orbit, with the other half of the illuminated side visible.

Other phases include the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous, and Waning Crescent. These phases occur as the Moon transitions between the New Moon and Full Moon, and vice versa. The cycle of lunar phases takes approximately 29.5 days, known as a synodic month. Understanding moonutusomadused is important for various applications, including astronomy, navigation, and cultural practices.