First quarter Moon. The phases of the Moon are caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and the Sun. From Earth, the illuminated portion of the moon is observed differently as makes its 28-day orbit. This Moon is in its first quarter phase. This phase got its name because at this point the Moon has travelled a quarter of the way through its orbit, though from Earth's perspective, half of the Moon?™s surface is lit. At first quarter in the Northern Hemisphere, the right side of the Moon is illuminated. Photographed on 24th April 2023.