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## c. Information on Moon Phases and Changes in the Percentage of the Moon Illuminated 

From any location on the Earth, the Moon appears to be a circular disk which, at any specific time, is illuminated to some degree by direct sunlight. During each lunar orbit (a lunar month), we see the Moon’s appearance change from not visibly illuminated through partially illuminated to fully illuminated, 

then back through partially illuminated to not illuminated again. There are eight distinct, tradition- ally recognized stages, called phases. The phases designate both the degree to which the Moon is illuminated and the geometric appearance of the illuminated part. These phases of the Moon, in the sequence of their occurrence (starting from New Moon), are listed in FIG 10 − 2 − 3. 

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