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What Are the Phases of the Moon in October?

The moon orbits around the Earth in a fairly regular cycle of 29.5 days. As it orbits, it also rotates. The moon's orbit means that it reflects different amounts of sunlight as viewable by observers on Earth. In October 2010, the the moon will be in its last quarter phase on Oct. 1, and it will cycle through its phases to be in the last quarter phase again on Oct. 30. The moon will not be in the same phase on the same dates every October.

New Moon and Waxing Moon
- As you view the moon on Oct. 1, you will see it in the third quarter, as it becomes a waning gibbous moon and then a waning crescent before entering into a new moon phase Oct. 7. The moon will then wax, or grow, in brightness, first becoming a waxing crescent, and then a first-quarter moon on Oct. 14.
Full Moon
- After the first quarter phase, the moon will enter the waxing gibbous phase, as more and more of its reflective surface becomes viewable from Earth. The moon will become a full moon on Oct. 20.
Waning Moon and New Moon
- The full moon will then start to wane, or diminish, in brightness entering the third quarter moon phase on Oct. 30, after which it will become a waning gibbous moon and then a waning crescent moon and then a new moon again Nov. 6.

Astronomy