What is a difference between a waxing crescent and a waning gibbous
The main difference between a waxing crescent and a waning gibbous is the phase of the moon and the amount of illumination visible from Earth.
1. Waxing crescent: A waxing crescent phase occurs in the early stages of the lunar cycle, just after a new moon. During this phase, a small crescent shape becomes visible on the right side of the moon (for observers in the Northern Hemisphere). The illuminated portion of the moon is increasing each day, as the moon moves towards the first quarter phase.
2. Waning gibbous: A waning gibbous phase occurs in the later stages of the lunar cycle, just before a full moon. During this phase, most of the moon's surface is still illuminated, but it is gradually decreasing in size each day. The illuminated portion of the moon is moving towards the left side (for observers in the Northern Hemisphere), making it appear as a gibbous shape.
In summary, the difference lies in the phase of the moon and the direction and amount of illumination. A waxing crescent is in the early stages of the lunar cycle with a small crescent visible on the right side, while a waning gibbous is in the later stages with most of the moon still illuminated but decreasing in size and moving towards the left side.