The terrestrial observer can notice from day to day a change in the shape of the illuminated part of the moon. It goes through several stages: from the new moon it grows to the full moon, then it decreases. There are several methods by which you can determine whether it is increasing or decreasing.
Instructions
Step 1
See what shape the moon takes. If it appears as a bright circular disk (full moon), it means that the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun. When the moon is between the sun and the earth, it is not visible (new moon). Between these two points, it goes through phases of growth and decrease, taking shape from a thin sickle to a full circle and vice versa. The curved edge of the shadow separates the lighted and dark areas of the Moon's surface. If the right edge of the lunar disk is even and bright, and the left edge is darkened, uneven, then the moon is in the growth stage. If on the contrary, the moon is decreasing.
Step 2
Form a semicircle from the thumb and forefinger of your right hand, resembling a crescent moon. Do the same with your left hand. Try to catch the moon so that it fits in the shape of the semicircle of one of your hands. If it fits into the right hand, it grows; if it fits into the left, it decreases. For most people, the right hand is a working hand, therefore it can be associated with the growth of the moon.
Step 3
Pay attention to the view of the crescent moon. What letter does it look like? If the crescent moon resembles the letter "C" in shape, then the moon is aging, waning. But if it is turned in the other direction and, when an imaginary stick is added, resembles the letter "P", then the moon is growing. Similar to this method, there is also a DOC rule using the Latin alphabet. Each letter is also associated with the shape of the moon. This rule is convenient for its sequence for memorizing the lunar phases: D - growth, O - full moon, C - decrease.
Step 4
Observe the time the moon is in the sky. If it appeared in the early evening or at dusk after sunset, then it is growing. But if it is seen in the morning at dawn, it diminishes.
Step 5
In the Southern Hemisphere, people see the moon not as in the Northern Hemisphere, but as if in a mirror image. Therefore, when determining the stage of growth or waning of the moon by its shape, consider the rules the other way around: "C" - growing, "P" - aging. However, this method does not work at the equator, since the moon has a horizontal position in the form of the letter U or an inverted U.
