Moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us.

Lunar and solar eclipses occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align in specific ways, but their formations and appearances differ significantly. Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth’s shadow falls on ...

During a full moon, Earth sits directly between the sun and the moon, allowing the entirety of the lunar surface to be lit from our perspective. That means no long shadows or dramatic relief like ...