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๐ฌ Think about it
From full Moon, the bright part shrinks for two weeks until it vanishes, then grows back for two weeks. India has lovely names for this rhythm — Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Let's name the phases.
What are the waxing and waning periods?
- After full Moon, the bright part shrinks for about two weeks.
- This shrinking period is called waning (Krishna Paksha).
- After new Moon, the bright part grows for about two weeks.
- This growing period is called waxing (Shukla Paksha).
Waxing (Shukla Paksha)
Waning (Krishna Paksha)
Bright part grows each day.
Bright part shrinks each day.
From new Moon to full Moon.
From full Moon to new Moon.
Takes about two weeks.
Takes about two weeks.
What are full Moon and new Moon days?
- Full Moon day is when the Moon is a full bright circle.
- In India it is called Purnima.
- New Moon day is when the Moon is not visible.
- In India it is called Amavasya.
Example:
Many festivals fall on Purnima (full Moon) or Amavasya (new Moon).
Important Points
- Waning: bright part shrinks (Krishna Paksha).
- Waxing: bright part grows (Shukla Paksha).
- One full cycle, full Moon to full Moon, takes about a month.
โ Test Yourself
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What are the phases of the Moon?
View Answer
The changing shapes of the bright portion of the Moon as seen from Earth from day to day. -
What is the waning period?
View Answer
The period when the Moon's bright part shrinks, from full Moon to new Moon (Krishna Paksha). -
What is Purnima?
View Answer
The full Moon day, when the Moon appears as a full bright circle. -
What is Amavasya?
View Answer
The new Moon day, when the Moon is not visible. -
How long is one full cycle of phases?
View Answer
About a month — from one full Moon to the next.
Important Definitions
- Waning period — the period when the Moon's bright part decreases (Krishna Paksha).
- Waxing period — the period when the Moon's bright part increases (Shukla Paksha).
- Full Moon (Purnima) — the day the Moon appears as a full bright circle.
- New Moon (Amavasya) — the day the Moon is not visible.
๐ NCERT Question 4 — Look at the pictures
Match the Moon pictures to phases, and list phases never seen from Earth.
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