Which Moon phase shows illumination greater than half and decreasing toward the New Moon?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

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 shows illumination greater than half and decreasing toward the New Moon?

Explanation:
The Moon’s visible illumination is the fraction of its sunlit side we can see from Earth, and that amount changes as it orbits. After the Full Moon, the lit portion is still more than half but it’s shrinking as the Moon moves toward New Moon. That stage is Waning Gibbous: more than half lit, and the brightness is decreasing toward New Moon. The other phases don’t fit this description—New Moon has little or no illumination; Last Quarter is exactly half; Waning Crescent is less than half; Full Moon is fully illuminated and not described as decreasing toward New Moon.

The Moon’s visible illumination is the fraction of its sunlit side we can see from Earth, and that amount changes as it orbits. After the Full Moon, the lit portion is still more than half but it’s shrinking as the Moon moves toward New Moon. That stage is Waning Gibbous: more than half lit, and the brightness is decreasing toward New Moon. The other phases don’t fit this description—New Moon has little or no illumination; Last Quarter is exactly half; Waning Crescent is less than half; Full Moon is fully illuminated and not described as decreasing toward New Moon.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy