new moon vs. full moon

new moon vs. full moon: 's the difference?

New moon and full moon refer to phases of the moon. When the moon is a new moon, it’s mostly or totally dark because it is in the shadow of the sun as viewed from the earth. When the moon is a full moon, the whole face of the moon is visible because it is lit up by the sun, which is opposite the moon in relation to the earth.

new moon

noun

  1. the moon either when in conjunction with the sun or soon after, being either invisible or visible only as a slender crescent.
  2. the phase of the moon at this time.

full moon

noun

  1. the moon when the whole of its disk is illuminated, occurring when in opposition to the sun.
  2. the phase of the moon at this time.