Phases of the Moon

1. Phases of the moon

How long does it take for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases (from New Moon to New Moon)?

A) 18 days
B) 7 days
C) 21 days
D) 29.5 days
E) 365 days

2. Which phase occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun?

A) Full Moon
B) Third Quarter
C) First Quarter
D) New Moon

3. When the visible part of the Moon is increasing in size, it is said to be:

A) Waxing
B) Gibbous
C) Waning
D) Eclipsing

4. What do we call the phase where exactly half of the right side of the Moon is illuminated?

A) First Quarter
B) Third Quarter
C) Waxing Gibbous
D) New Moon

5. Which of the following is the correct order of phases?

A) New Moon → First Quarter → Full Moon → Third Quarter
B) New Moon → Waxing Crescent → Waning Crescent → Full Moon
C) ew Moon → Full Moon → First Quarter → Third Quarter
D) Full Moon → New Moon → Third Quarter → First Quarter

6. A "Gibbous" moon is one where:

A) More than half but less than full is illuminated
B) Many stars are visible near the moon
C) The moon is not visible because of clouds
D) The moon is completely dark
E) Less than half is illuminated

7. When the Moon is "Waning," the illuminated portion is:

A) Becoming smaller
B) Becoming more bright
C) Turning red
D) Becoming larger

8. Which phase follows the Waxing Gibbous?

A) New Moon
B) Third Quarter
C) Waxing Crescent
D) Full Moon

9. What causes the phases of the Moon?

A) The Moon’s revolution around the Earth and the angle of sunlight
B) Clouds blocking the Moon
C) The shadow of the Earth falling on the Moon
D) The Moon spinning on its axis faster than the Earth

10. How much of the total Moon's surface is always illuminated by the Sun (except during an eclipse)?

A) 75%
B) 50%
C) 100%
D) 25%

11. A "Crescent" moon is defined as:

A) A moon that only appears during the day
B) A moon that is almost full
C) A moon that is not visible at all
D) A moon that is less than half illuminated

12. If you see a Third (Last) Quarter moon today, about how long will it be until the New Moon?

A) Two months
B) Two weeks
C) One month
D) One day
E) About one week

13. During a Full Moon, where is the Earth located?

A) Between the Sun and the Moon
B) Inside the Moon’s shadow
C) To the side of the Sun and Moon
D) Behind the Moon

14. What is the name of the phase that occurs between the Full Moon and the Third Quarter?

A) Waning Gibbous
B) Waning Crescent
C) Waxing Crescent
D) Waxing Gibbous

15. Which phase rises at roughly midnight and sets at roughly noon?

A) New Moon
B) Third Quarter
C) Full Moon
D) First Quarter

16. Why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth?

A) The Moon does not rotate
B) The Moon's rotation period matches its revolution period (Synchronous Rotation)
C) The Earth does not rotate
D) The Sun's gravity holds one side in place

17. What do we call the "horns" or points of a crescent moon?

A) Rays
B) Talons
C) Cusps
D) Peaks

18. A "Blue Moon" is most commonly defined as:

A) The second Full Moon in a single calendar month
B) A moon that happens during a solar eclipse
C) A moon that actually turns blue due to dust
D) The first New Moon of the year

19. What is the term for the line that separates the dark side and the light side of the Moon?

A) The Eclipse Line
B) The Horizon
C) The Terminator
D) The Equator

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