Van Gogh distorted elements in Starry Night, such as the moon phase, to achieve a desired emotional effect rather than strict accuracy.

“but we know this painting was done in two days it was done um in two days we know that from the letters to theo and the moon was gibbous at that point it wasn't a crescent so he's you'd say he's lying he's manipulating it because you know the crescent moon is more interesting for most people”