Question
During which weeks in the moons cycle does the moon appear to be getting smaller
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The moon appears to be getting smaller during the waning phase of its cycle. This phase occurs after the full moon and lasts until the new moon. The weeks are roughly divided as follows:
1. **Waning Gibbous**: This phase occurs right after the full moon, lasting about a week. During this time, the moon is still mostly illuminated but starts to decrease in visibility.
2. **Last Quarter**: Approximately a week after the waning gibbous phase, the moon reaches its last quarter, where half of the moon is illuminated.
3. **Waning Crescent**: Following the last quarter, the moon continues to wane and appears as a crescent. This phase lasts until the new moon.
In total, the moon appears to be getting smaller for about two weeks out of its roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle.
1. **Waning Gibbous**: This phase occurs right after the full moon, lasting about a week. During this time, the moon is still mostly illuminated but starts to decrease in visibility.
2. **Last Quarter**: Approximately a week after the waning gibbous phase, the moon reaches its last quarter, where half of the moon is illuminated.
3. **Waning Crescent**: Following the last quarter, the moon continues to wane and appears as a crescent. This phase lasts until the new moon.
In total, the moon appears to be getting smaller for about two weeks out of its roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle.