After the Full Moon we see the waning side of the Moon, the illuminated side is decreasing.
2007-05-15 16:51:06 · 8 answers · asked by Orange? 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's not that the illuminated side is decreasing, But we are seeing less of the illuminated side. That is, less of the illuminated side is facing toward us.
2007-05-15 16:56:49 · answer #1 · answered by jsardi56 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We *always* see the same side of the moon, but you've got the right idea. After the full moon the illuminated part of the moon begins decreasing in area.
2007-05-15 23:57:48 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The illuminate portion of the moon always remains the same. It is the portion of the illuminated moon that we are able to see from Earth that diminishes during the waning and then starts to increase after the new moon during the waxing .
2007-05-15 23:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by RUDOLPH M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the time between a full moon and a new moon is a waning moon, the illuminated side is decreasing in area from our perspective.
This area of illumintation is constantly changing
due to the moons rotation around the Earth, thought we only see one side of the moon at any given time*.
New moon to a Full moon is a waxing moon.
*The moon's rotation on its axis actually slowed and eventually became locked, one side facing the Earth
due to the Earth;s gravitational pull.
This same theory also predicts the moon will eventually lock into our orbit and the moon will be fixed on one side of our planet - thus locking the tides and making the moon only visible by travel.
2007-05-15 23:58:57 · answer #4 · answered by coolikethat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The phases of the Moon, starting and ending with the New Moon.
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
Third Quarter
Waning Crescent
New Moon
2007-05-16 00:07:49 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The area of the illuminated side remains the same. The portion of the illuminated side that we can see is decreasing.
2007-05-15 23:59:32 · answer #6 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In one Lunear Month we can see 59% of the moon & not the 50% only, but 50% of the part we can see at a time on Full moon night
2007-05-16 01:15:23 · answer #7 · answered by harshadanywhere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, the sun is hitting the moon at a different angle, so we see less of the 'illuminated side'
i put '' because there isn't a specific area that is always illuminated
2007-05-15 23:55:45 · answer #8 · answered by xmodry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋