moon hemisphere 2020 northern phase by HBN

The appearance of the Moon's northern hemisphere during its various phases doesn't change significantly from year to year. The Moon goes through its phases in a predictable cycle due to its orbit around the Earth. In 2022, just like any other year, you would have seen the northern hemisphere of the Moon in various phases, including:

New Moon: During a new moon, the entire northern hemisphere of the Moon is in shadow, so it's not visible from Earth.

Waxing Crescent: As the Moon progresses from a new moon to a first quarter moon, you start to see a small crescent in the northern hemisphere. This crescent will appear to be getting larger as the days go by.

First Quarter Moon: At first quarter, half of the Moon's northern hemisphere is illuminated, while the other half is in shadow. You'll see the boundary between light and shadow running through the northern hemisphere.

Waxing Gibbous: After the first quarter, the illuminated portion of the northern hemisphere continues to grow, leading to a waxing gibbous phase where most of the northern hemisphere is lit.

Full Moon: During a full moon, the entire northern hemisphere is fully illuminated, and it is visible in all its glory from Earth.

Waning Gibbous: After the full moon, the illuminated portion of the northern hemisphere decreases, leading to a waning gibbous phase.

Third Quarter Moon: At the third quarter, half of the northern hemisphere is still illuminated, but the opposite half compared to the first quarter is now lit.

Waning Crescent: The crescent in the northern hemisphere becomes smaller as the Moon approaches another new moon.

This cycle repeats approximately every 29.5 days, which is the lunar month. The specific appearance of the northern hemisphere during these phases may vary slightly due to factors like libration (the Moon's slight rocking motion) and its orbital eccentricity, but these variations are minor and do not change significantly from year to year.