Moon phases - part 3

Moon phases - part 3

Knowing all the terminology probably won't make you a better fisherman, but it could help you interpret solunar tables and understand articles. Below is a list of words you may find in a solunar table or moon phase article and their definitions. I will discuss most of them in my article on "understanding moons".

Apogee - phase of the moon where the earth and moon are farest apart.
Crescent - less than 1/2 illuminated moon.
First quarter - 1/2 illuminated moon occuring about a week after the new moon. The right side is illuminated and will continue to get bigger until the full moon.
Full moon - 100% illuminated moon. Not only is the moon full, but it is out all night long.
Gibbous - more than 1/2 illuminated moon.
High tide - time of day when the tide is at it's highest point. Usually occurs twice a day.
Low tide - time of day when the tide is at it's lowest point. Usually occurs twice a day.
Neap tide - weak tides when the moon is 1/2 illuminated.
New moon - 0% illuminated moon. It is called the new moon because the phase starts over again at this point. Not only is the moon darkest during the new moon, but it is only out during the daylight hours.
Perigee - phase of the moon where the earth and moon are closest together.
Spring tide - Strong tides occuring when the earth, the sun, and the moon are in a line (has nothing to do with the season). Spring tides occur during the full moon and the new moon.
Third quarter - 1/2 illuminated moon occuring about a week after the full moon. The left side is illuminated and will continue to get smaller until the new moon.
Waning - the moon is getting less illuminated every day. This happens between the full moon and the new moon.
Waxing - the moon is getting fuller every day. This happens between the new moon and the full moon.