In the southern hemisphere, does the Moon appear to start its waxing phase in reverse?

Question

HIX Tutor · Accepted Answer

undefined Yes! In the southern hemisphere, the Moon looks a bit different.

Here’s how to understand it:

1. **Waxing phase**: This is when the Moon gets bigger.
2. **In the southern hemisphere**: The Moon looks like it's "growing" from the left side, not the right.
3. **Opposite of northern hemisphere**: In the north, the Moon grows from the right.

So, it looks like the Moon is waxing in reverse compared to the north!

Clara Avalos · Answer

It depends on what you mean by "reversed". The east-west directions remain the same but the left-right directions are reversed.

No matter where you are on Earth, the Moon moves eastward relative to the Sun every day. During its waxing phases, the Moon has moved east of the Sun, and its lighted area is on the west side, pointing towards the Sun; during its waning phases, the Moon is moving towards the Sun from the west, with the lighted area on the east side. Because the Moon orbits close to the Equator's extension into space, viewers in the Northern Hemisphere typically face south, while viewers in the Southern Hemisphere typically face north. The left-right directions must be reversed because the east-west directions stay the same as we saw above.

Olivia Aldridge · Answer

undefined No, the Moon still starts its waxing phase from the right side (as viewed from the southern hemisphere), just like in the northern hemisphere. However, due to the perspective from the southern hemisphere, the Moon appears upside down compared to the northern hemisphere.