The blank area phases you are referring to are known as the "waxing" phases of the Moon. During these phases, the visible portion of the moon increases, moving from the New Moon phase to the Full Moon phase. The specific waxing phases include:
- Waxing Crescent: The Moon is less than half illuminated and is growing in visibility.
- First Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated (the right half in the Northern Hemisphere).
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is illuminated, but it is not yet full.
After the Full Moon, the Moon will begin to wane, transitioning to the phases where the visible portion decreases.
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