What is the difference between a full moon and a new moon (full moon vs new moon)?
The moon is the only natural satellite of our home planet. Its position is essential to the Earth as it stabilizes our planet’s orbit on its axis. If the moon were to be destroyed or disappear for even a day, there would be huge catastrophic events on Earth.
The moon is the closest celestial object to the Earth and since the 1960s, it has been one of the most studied objects in the solar system.
In a moment, we will be discussing the difference between a full moon and a new moon.
What Is a Full Moon?
A full moon occurs as a result of the Earth, the sun, and the moon being aligned in a syzygy.
It represents a phase in the lunar cycle when our home planet is between the celestial object and the sun.
When the Earth is positioned between the moon and the sun, the entire face of the moon that we can see from here is illuminated by the sun’s rays. The side of the moon brightly lit up by the sun’s rays appears like a circular disk in the night sky.
According to sources online, the moon is perfectly positioned 180 degrees from our sun (based on the measurement by celestial latitude). However, the moon may be positioned less than 180 degrees from our sun.
The moon sometimes only appears to be 99.9% illuminated during some full moons. This is because the Earth’s line of sight blocks some parts of the celestial object’s illuminated hemisphere.
This occurs because of the moon’s orbit around our home planet which is at an angle of approximately five degrees with respect to our planet’s orbital plane.
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What Is a New Moon?
A new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun.
During this phase of the lunar cycle, the side of the moon facing the Earth is invisible to an observer on Earth. This happens because the side of the moon illuminated by sunlight is facing in the opposite direction, away from the Earth.
The dark side of the moon that faces the Earth is known as the conjunction of Syzygy. It’s difficult for an observer on Earth to see the new moon with their naked eye during the day.
During a new moon, the lunar disks are not visible to the naked eye. This is why an observer on Earth cannot see the new moon with their naked eyes.
Because it rises and sets at the same time as the sun, we can’t see the new moon with the naked eye.
In astronomy, the new moon day is believed to be the most important day for new beginnings. It’s also believed that people tend to start their new journey during a new moon. They believe that the new moon comes with a new energy to help them succeed.
Full Moon vs New Moon: Difference between Full Moon and New Moon
The difference between a full moon and a new moon is that the former occurs when the sun and the moon are aligned on the opposite sides of the Earth, while the latter occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun.
During a new moon, the celestial objects become invisible to an observer on Earth. A new moon rises and sets at the same time as the sun, making it invisible to the naked eye.
In contrast, the full moon is illuminated by sunlight and it’s visible for everyone on Earth to see.
The dark side of the moon that faces the Earth is known as the conjunction of Syzygy. It’s difficult for an observer on Earth to see the new moon with their naked eye during the day.
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Full Moon vs New Moon: More Differences
- A full moon is the brightest phase of the moon, while a new moon is the darkest in a lunar month.
- A full moon is the bright and most visible phase of the moon. It’s the brightest side of the moon that lit up the night sky, while the new moon is the least visible, as it’s the darkest phase of the moon.
- During every 15th of the lunar month, the full moon falls, while the new moon falls on the 1st of every lunar month.
- The full moon is the brightest and most visible side of the moon when it’s positioned to reflect most of the sunlight reaching its surface.
- The new moon is always invisible to the naked eye of an observer on Earth. It only receives light from other celestial objects like stars and shines very dimly.
Full Moon vs New Moon: Characteristics of the Earth-Moon System
The moon’s position is essential to the Earth as it stabilizes our planet’s orbit on its axis.
According to Britannica, the moon displays a total of eight phases, new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.
During a new moon, the celestial objects become invisible to an observer on Earth. A new moon rises and sets at the same time as the sun, making it invisible to the naked eye.
In contrast, the full moon is illuminated by sunlight and it’s visible for everyone on Earth to see.
A full moon occurs when the celestial object is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. The brightest side that is illuminated by sunlight faces the Earth.
In contrast, a new moon occurs when the celestial object is between the Earth and the sun. The new moon is always invisible to the naked eye of an observer on Earth.
The first and last quarter of the moon that is visible to the naked eye occurs when the moon is at a right angle with respect to the sun. The waxing and waning crescent phases can be observed from Earth when one-fourth of the moon is illuminated.
And the waxing and waning gibbous phases occur when three-fourths of the celestial object is illuminated.
During a solar eclipse (when the moon is positioned between the sun and the Earth) an observer on Earth sees the new moon as the disk is silhouetted.
When the moon moves into the shadow of the Earth cast by the sun, that is when a lunar eclipse occurs. While lunar eclipses occur at full moon, solar eclipses occur at new moons.
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Full Moon vs New Moon: Comparison Chart
| Full Moon | New Moon | |
| Occurs when | Occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. | Occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the sun. |
| Visibility | Full illuminated and visible | Not illuminated and visible |
| Position relative to the Earth and the sun | The Earth is between the sun and the moon. | The moon is between the Earth and the sun |
| Impact on night’s brightness | Brighter night because of the moon’s reflection | Darkest nights with no moonlight |
Conclusion
In astronomy, the new moon day is believed to be the most important day for new beginnings.
The difference between a full moon and a new moon is that the former occurs when the sun and the moon are aligned on the opposite side of the Earth, while the latter occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun.
While lunar eclipses occur at full moon, solar eclipses occur at new moons.
