waxing

The waxing period is the roughly two-week stretch when the Moon's bright, illuminated portion grows larger each night, from new Moon toward full Moon.

• In India, this growing period is traditionally called Shukla Paksha, and it directly precedes the full Moon day, or Purnima.
• A waxing Moon is easiest to spot in the evening sky, since it appears close to the Sun's position at sunset and grows more visible as the night goes on.
• Waxing and waning aren't independent events — they're two opposite halves of the very same monthly cycle, with waxing always following new Moon and always ending at full Moon.
• Knowing whether the Moon is waxing or waning is a quick, practical way to predict roughly where in the sky — and at what time of night — it will be visible.