How would the phases of the moon differ if the moon orbited the earth in the opposite direction.

If the moon orbited the earth in the opposite direction, its phases would occur in the opposite order.

Explanation:

As the moon moves around the earth during the month, it has four different aspects, which are the phases of the moon. According to the luminosity, the moon can be classified as: new moon, full moon, crescent moon and waning moon.  

This phenomenon occurs because of the angle at which we observe the sunlit face of the moon. Each phase of the moon lasts approximately seven days, influencing the tides and some habits, such as cutting hair, fishing, among others.

However, if the moon orbited the earth in the opposite direction, the angle of illumination would be different and the phases of the moon would follow the opposite order: waning crescent moon, full moon, new moon.