Difference Between

Full Moon vs New Moon

Full moon and New moon are two terms used in connection with the phenomena taking place in our solar system. These two terms should be understood in different senses. They are not one and the same.

It is important to know that full moon and new moon are the different phases of the moon. The shape of the moon appears to change from night to night. It indeed changes in the same way every month.

The phase of the moon when it looks absolutely full and complete in its shape is called the full moon. On the other hand the phase of the moon when it looks not full at all but only as a crescent or nothing for that matter is called as new moon. This is the main difference between the two terms full moon and new moon.

The moon does not give off light of its own. It reflects the light from the sun. As the moon moves around the earth, we see different parts of the moon’s lighted surface. This is why the moon’s shape appears to change. Since the moon takes about a month to move around the earth, these changes in the moon’s shape repeat every month and are called phases of the moon.

The sky looks very beautiful on a full moon day. The light from the moon though not its own falls nicely on all parts of the town or the city that experiences full moon and makes the entire place look absolutely radiant. On the contrary the entire town or the city that experiences full moon looks dark on a new moon night. The town or the city needs the help of artificial lights to brighten things. These are the differences between full moon and new moon.