QUARTER-MOON Meaning and
Definition
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Quarter-moon refers to a phase of the moon where it appears as a crescent, occupying only a quarter of its entire circumference. This phase occurs twice during the monthly lunar cycle, marking the intermediary periods between the new moon and the first quarter moon, as well as the last quarter moon and the subsequent new moon. At these stages, the moon appears to be divided into two equal halves, with one half illuminated and the other half remaining in darkness.
During the first quarter-moon phase, sunlight illuminates the right side of the moon, causing it to appear as a crescent shape. Conversely, during the last quarter-moon phase, the left side of the moon is visible, also resembling a crescent. The quarter-moon phase serves as a significant point in the lunar cycle, indicating the gradual transition from the new moon, where the moon is completely hidden, to the full moon, when the entire lunar surface is illuminated.
Observing the quarter-moon can also provide information about the moon's location in relation to Earth and the sun. By determining the orientation of the illuminated portion and the direction in which it faces, astronomers and sky watchers can gain insights into the moon's orbit and the angle between the sun, Earth, and the moon. The quarter-moon phase offers a captivating astronomical phenomenon that has fascinated humanity for centuries and plays a crucial role in the study and understanding of celestial bodies.
Common Misspellings for QUARTER-MOON
- 1uarter-moon
- 2uarter-moon
- wuarter-moon
- auarter-moon
- qyarter-moon
- qharter-moon
- qjarter-moon
- qiarter-moon
- q8arter-moon
- q7arter-moon
- quzrter-moon
- qusrter-moon
- quwrter-moon
- quqrter-moon
- quaeter-moon
- quadter-moon
- quafter-moon
- quatter-moon
- qua5ter-moon
Etymology of QUARTER-MOON
The etymology of the word "quarter-moon" can be broken down as follows:
- "Quarter" originates from the Old French word "quartier", which means "fourth part" or "one of four divisions". It comes from the Latin word "quartarius", meaning "fourth".
- "Moon" is derived from the Old English word "mona" and the Middle English word "mone", which both mean "moon". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "menon" and the Proto-Indo-European word "mēh₁nós", both of which also referred to the moon.
Thus, the composite term "quarter-moon" refers to the phase of the moon when it appears as a crescent shape, dividing the lunar cycle into four equal parts.
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