How do the phases of the Moon occur?

During a full moon phase, the entire moon is seen as light. During a new moon, the entire moon is seen as shadow. At first quarter and third quarter moon phases, one half of the moon is seen as light, and one half as shadow. read more

The moon moves around the Earth every 28 days. It has a slanted orbit, so it seldom actually occludes the sun (a solar eclipse) and the Earth seldom actually blocks sunlight from falling on the moon (a lunar eclipse). When the moon is farthest from the sun, the sunlight is full on the face of it, and the night side of the Earth sees a full moon. read more

A: The different moon phases occur from its revolutions around the Earth. The moon goes through distinct phases with one complete rotation around the world, including a new phase, first quarter phase, third quarter phase and full moon. read more