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The observation of waning phases of the Moon occurs during the interval between a full Moon and a new Moon. In this phase, the illuminated portion of the Moon's surface that we can see from Earth decreases, or wanes. This is characterized by the Moon appearing less full each night until it becomes new, at which point no illuminated surface is visible from our perspective.
When the Moon is full, we see it completely illuminated, and as it starts to transition toward the new phase, we enter the waning gibbous phase and then the waning crescent phase. This is a crucial distinction in lunar phases, as the waning phases describe the period of decreasing illumination leading up to the new Moon.
Understanding the lunar cycle in terms of waxing (increasing illumination from new to full) and waning (decreasing illumination from full to new) helps in identifying the specific times when these observations can be made.