Lunar Phases Explained: Orbital Cycle and Moon Phase Names #3530187 (License: Personal Use)

The image depicts the Moon’s orbit around Earth in a top-down view, with each position aligned to its observed phase as seen from Earth. Below the orbital path, the eight standard lunar phases are shown in sequence-New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent-with precise labeling. The dashed circles represent the Moon’s orbital path, and the arrow indicates the direction of motion (counterclockwise as viewed from above the North Pole).

Used in astronomy education, science blogs, and classroom resources to teach lunar cycles; matches user intent for understanding moon phases, eclipses, or calendar systems like lunisolar calendars.