Astronomy Practice Exam

Which moon phase follows the waxing crescent?

1. New moon

2. Waxing gibbous

3. Half moon

4. Full moon

The correct answer is: Waxing gibbous

The correct answer, which identifies the moon phase that follows the waxing crescent, is indeed the waxing gibbous phase. To understand this progression, it's important to know how the lunar cycle works. The lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days and involves several distinct phases that occur as the Moon orbits Earth. After a new moon, where the Moon is not visible from Earth, the first visible phase is the waxing crescent. During this time, a small sliver of the Moon begins to be illuminated by sunlight. As the Moon continues its orbit, it moves into the waxing gibbous phase, where more than half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, but it is not yet full. This phase is characterized by increasing visibility and lighting, which illustrates why waxing gibbous directly follows the waxing crescent. Other options like the new moon and full moon do not fit in this sequence following the waxing crescent. The half moon, which is also known as the first quarter moon, occurs between the waxing crescent and the waxing gibbous phases, making it not directly next in line after the waxing crescent phase. Understanding this sequence is crucial for grasping the cyclic nature of lunar phases.