Which Moon phase occurs immediately after the New Moon?

Explore the intricacies of the Sun-Earth-Moon System with our C20 Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of celestial mechanics. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which Moon phase occurs immediately after the New Moon?

Explanation:
As the Moon moves in its orbit, the portion lit by the Sun that we can see from Earth grows starting just after the New Moon. This first visible sliver is called the Waxing Crescent: “waxing” means increasing illumination, and the crescent shape appears as a thin curve of light that slowly thickens toward the First Quarter. The New Moon itself is the moment when the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so the lit side faces away from us and isn’t visible. About a week later we reach the First Quarter, when half the disk is lit, and about two weeks after the New Moon we get the Full Moon. So the phase immediately after the New Moon is the Waxing Crescent Moon.

As the Moon moves in its orbit, the portion lit by the Sun that we can see from Earth grows starting just after the New Moon. This first visible sliver is called the Waxing Crescent: “waxing” means increasing illumination, and the crescent shape appears as a thin curve of light that slowly thickens toward the First Quarter. The New Moon itself is the moment when the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so the lit side faces away from us and isn’t visible. About a week later we reach the First Quarter, when half the disk is lit, and about two weeks after the New Moon we get the Full Moon. So the phase immediately after the New Moon is the Waxing Crescent Moon.

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