PHASES OF THE MOON
When the Sun and Moon are aligned on the same side of the Earth, the Moon is "new", and the side of the Moon visible from Earth is not illuminated by the Sun (bottom right). As the Moon waxes (the amount of illuminated surface as seen from Earth is increasing, top left), the lunar phases progress from new moon, crescent moon, first-quarter moon, gibbous moon and full moon phases, before returning through the gibbous moon, third-quarter moon, crescent moon and new moon phases.

In the northern hemisphere, if the left side of the Moon is dark then the light part is growing, and the Moon is referred to as waxing (moving towards a full moon). If the right side of the Moon is dark then the light part is shrinking, and the Moon is referred to as waning (moving towards a new moon). Assuming that one is in the northern hemisphere, the right portion of the Moon is the part that is always growing.

SPRING TIDE
The largest rise and fall of the tide, caused by the sun and moon being in line.

For more information on tides click here

For information on lunar phases click here

To download a Freeware Moon Phase program click here