Phases of the Moon     The moon goes through phases observable from the earth due to the relative positions of the earth and moon. Four of the phases actually occur only for an instant in time, but we normally say the phase occurs during the entire day. These phases are the "new moon", "first quarter", "full moon", and "last (or third) quarter" moon. The other four phases of the moon occur for a period of about seven days. These phases are waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous, and waning crescent. The waxing phases occur as the moon approaches full moon and more of the moon is observed each evening. The waning phases occur after full moon as less of the moon appears each day.     When the moon and the sun appear on the same side of the earth we have a new moon. If they are in perfect alignment we have a solar eclipse. During the new moon, the moon and sun rise and set at the same time. The next phase is the waxing crescent phase. This phase occurs as the moon approaches the first quarter. A first quarter moon rises when the sun is at its highest point in the sky and sets about midnight.     The next phase is the waxing gibbous phase which occurs until the full moon. The full moon rises as the sun sets and sets as the sun rises. The full moon occurs when the sun and moon appear on opposite sides of the earth. During this phase a lunar eclipse can occur. After the full moon a waning gibbous occurs.     The phase after the waning gibbous is the third quarter (last quarter). A third quarter moon rises at midnight and sets at noon. The last phase of the moon is the waning crescent phase which occurs until we reach the new moon again.  The moon rises about 52 minutes later each night. The entire cycle takes about a month (29.5 days).