Determine the next phase in a lunar cycle Practice Test

Waxing gibbous: As the moon continues to move in its orbit around the Earth, a sliver of the illuminated side of the moon becomes visible. This phase is called the waxing gibbous. (To wax is to increase.)

Waxing gibbous: The darkened side of the moon begins to reappear to observers after the full moon. This phase is called a waxing gibbous. The moon is described as waxing when it appears to grow smaller. (To wax is to decrease.)

Waxing gibbous: As the moon continues in its orbit, the portion of the illuminated side of the moon visible from the Earth continues to increase. When the moon appears to be more than a half moon but less than a full moon, it is called a gibbous moon. At this point in its orbit, the moon appears to be growing, so this phase is called a waxing gibbous.

Waxing gibbous: As the moon’s orbit continues, the moon appears as a crescent shape once again. Since it appears to grow smaller, this phase is called a waxing gibbous.