2007-07-16 14:04:00 · 4 answers · asked by drtimgarland 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
these terms refer to the phases of the moon. as the moon orbits the earth, different parts of it are illuminated by the sun. since the moon always presents the same face to earth, starting from the full moon, we see that the phase first wanes (decreases) until we have a new moon, then waxes (increases) until we have a full moon again. the whole cycle takes about a month (in fact that was the definition of the month, in some older 'lunar' calendars). 'gibbous' refers to the three quarters full phase, either waxing or waning.
2007-07-16 14:19:44 · answer #1 · answered by vorenhutz 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Moon has phases; new, crescent, half, gibbous, and full. The gibbous phases take place between full and halves, when it's about three-quarters full.
Those phases after a new moon and a before a full moon are called waxing, another word for growing. For example, waxing crescent or waxing gibbous.
The phases after full moon and before the next new moon are called waning, another word for shrinking. For example, waning gibbous or waning crescent.
2007-07-16 14:13:53 · answer #2 · answered by stork5100 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The moon rotates on its axis as it revolves around the Earth - what we see is the moon reflecting sunlight to our eyes.
As the moon moves around the Earth each month the angle of the sunlight reflecting to the Earth changes.
Waning - the part that is sunlit appears to be getting smaller
Waxing - the part that is sunlit appears to be getting larger
Gibbous - almost the entire side facing us is sunlit (sort of between half full and full moon)
2007-07-16 14:14:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Waxing means that the moon is moving from new moon to full moon -- the lighted portion is increasing.
Waning means that the moon is moving from full moon to new moon -- the lighted portion is decreasing.
Gibbous means that the lighted portion that you see is more than half the disk
2007-07-16 14:12:30 · answer #4 · answered by rt11guru 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A red moon or blood moon is also called a harvest moon. It was a symbol to the ancient people that it is time to start the harvesting for the winter. There were 3 havests done before the on set of Winter, Yule being the last and final harvest.
2016-03-13 12:34:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What Does Waning
2016-12-12 08:07:36 · answer #6 · answered by llerena 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Waning: getting smaller, going from full moon to new moon.
Waxing: getting bigger, going from new moon to full moon.
Gibbous: nearer to a full moon than a new moon (bulging)
2007-07-16 14:14:06 · answer #7 · answered by anobium625 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
waxing is growing from crescent to full, waning is shrinking from full to crescent. Gibbous is in between a half and full moon.
2007-07-16 15:27:13 · answer #8 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋