New Moon
Completely (or almost completely) dark.
Waxing Crescent
A small sliver of light on the right.
First Quarter (or Half) Moon
The right half of the Moon is light.
Waxing Gibbous
Three quarters of the right side of the Moon is light. The light is in the shape of a humpback (which is what the word "gibbous" means!).
Full Moon
The entire moon is bright.
Waning Gibbous
Three quarters of the left side of the Moon is light
Third Quarter (also Half) Moon
The left half of the Moon is now light.
Waning Crescent
A small sliver of light now appears on the left side.
New Moon
Completely (or almost completely) dark.
Waxing Crescent
A small sliver of light on the right.
First Quarter (or Half) Moon
The right half of the Moon is light.
Waxing Gibbous
Three quarters of the right side of the Moon is light. The light is in the shape of a humpback (which is what the word "gibbous" means!).
Full Moon
The entire moon is bright.
Waning Gibbous
Three quarters of the left side of the Moon is light
Third Quarter (also Half) Moon
The left half of the Moon is now light.
Waning Crescent
A small sliver of light now appears on the left side.