Gibbous vs. Crescent — What's the Difference?

Relating to the moon in the phase following the first quarter and preceding the full moon.

Provides minimal nighttime illumination.

More than half but not fully illuminated.

Shaped like a bow or arc.

Swollen in appearance.

Less than half of the moon is illuminated.

Illuminating most of the night.

Often used as a symbol in various cultures.

Less favorable for astronomers.

Relating to the moon either before the first quarter or after the last quarter.

Characterized by convexity; protuberant

A crescent shape (, British English also ) is a symbol or emblem used to represent the lunar phase in the first quarter (the "sickle moon"), or by extension a symbol representing the Moon itself. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is often shown wearing a crescent moon on his head symbolising that the lord is the master of time and is himself timeless.

More than half but less than fully illuminated from the point of view of an observer. Used of phases of the moon or the planets.

The curved sickle shape of the waxing or waning moon

(Archaic) Having a hump; humpbacked.

A thing which has the shape of a single curve that is broad in the centre and tapers to a point at each end

Characterized by convexity; protuberant.

A moth or butterfly with crescent-shaped markings on the wings.

Having more than half (but not the whole) of its disc illuminated.

Having the shape of a crescent

Humpbacked.

Growing, increasing, or developing.

Swelling by a regular curve or surface; protuberant; convex; as, the moon is gibbous between the half-moon and the full moon.

The figure of the moon as it appears before its first quarter phase or after its third quarter phase, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.

Hunched; hump-backed.

A curved street.

Characteristic of or suffering from kyphosis, an abnormality of the vertebral column

A curved block of buildings, especially row houses, forming a continuous facade.

(used of the moon) more than half full

A curved pastry.

Crescent-shaped.

Waxing, as the moon approaching its first quarter phase; increasing.

The figure of the moon as it appears between its first or last quarter and the new moon, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.

Something shaped like a crescent, especially:

A curved pastry.

A curved street, often presenting a continuous façade, as of row houses.

(Islam) A representation of crescent used as a symbol of Islam.

(NZ) A crescent spanner.

(historical) Any of three orders of knighthood conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services.

(heraldry) The emblem of the waxing Moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.

A crescentspot butterfly.

Marked by an increase; waxing, like the Moon.

Shaped like a crescent.

(transitive) To form a crescent shape

(transitive) To decorate with crescents.

The increasing moon; the moon in her first quarter, or when defined by a concave and a convex edge; also, applied improperly to the old or decreasing moon in a like state.

Anything having the shape of a crescent or new moon.

A representation of the increasing moon, often used as an emblem or badge

Any one of three orders of knighthood; the first instituted by Charles I., king of Naples and Sicily, in 1268; the second by René of Anjou, in 1448; and the third by the Sultan Selim III., in 1801, to be conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services.

The emblem of the increasing moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; - often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.

Shaped like a crescent.

Increasing; growing.

To form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent.

To adorn with crescents.

Any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

Resembling the new moon in shape

A gibbous moon, being brightly lit, enhances visibility at night, making it easier to see without additional light sources.

No, the moon cannot be both gibbous and crescent in the same night as these phases occur at different times during the lunar cycle.

A crescent moon shows less than half of its face illuminated, forming a shape similar to a bow.

The moon's phase changes gradually over a month, cycling through crescent, gibbous, full, and new phases.

The crescent moon is a symbol of new beginnings and is featured in various cultural and religious symbols.

A gibbous moon is one where more than half of its face is illuminated.

With less moonlight during a crescent phase, the sky is darker, which is ideal for observing stars and other celestial objects.

A crescent moon is best observed just after sunset or before sunrise, depending on whether it is waxing or waning.

A gibbous moon appears almost fully lit and round, whereas a crescent moon looks like a thin arc or bow.

A crescent moon is followed by a first quarter moon or leads into a new moon, depending on whether it is waxing or waning.

Activities that require more natural light at night, such as hiking or fishing, are better under a gibbous moon.

Astronomers prefer a crescent moon due to the reduced moonlight interference, which allows better observation of faint celestial objects.

No, a gibbous moon is the phase just before or just after a full moon, where it is mostly but not completely illuminated.

A waning crescent moon signifies the end of one lunar cycle and the impending approach of a new moon.

Depending on the time of the month, a gibbous moon can be visible for most of the night.