Lunar Phase Sequence - Middle School Earth and Space Science
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Which phase name describes a Moon that is less than half lit and decreasing in illumination?
Which phase name describes a Moon that is less than half lit and decreasing in illumination?
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Waning crescent. Crescent means less than half lit; waning means shrinking.
Waning crescent. Crescent means less than half lit; waning means shrinking.
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What does the term waning mean when describing the Moon’s appearance from Earth?
What does the term waning mean when describing the Moon’s appearance from Earth?
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The lit portion visible is decreasing. After full moon, the illuminated area shrinks each night.
The lit portion visible is decreasing. After full moon, the illuminated area shrinks each night.
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Which lunar phase shows more than half illuminated and is decreasing each night?
Which lunar phase shows more than half illuminated and is decreasing each night?
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Waning Gibbous. Between full and half, shrinking each night.
Waning Gibbous. Between full and half, shrinking each night.
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What does the term “crescent” mean when describing a lunar phase?
What does the term “crescent” mean when describing a lunar phase?
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Less than half of the Moon’s disk appears illuminated. Named for its curved, C-shaped appearance.
Less than half of the Moon’s disk appears illuminated. Named for its curved, C-shaped appearance.
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What fraction of the Moon’s visible disk is illuminated at First Quarter?
What fraction of the Moon’s visible disk is illuminated at First Quarter?
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Half of the visible disk is illuminated. "Quarter" refers to Moon's orbital position, not illumination.
Half of the visible disk is illuminated. "Quarter" refers to Moon's orbital position, not illumination.
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What does “crescent” mean in lunar phase names?
What does “crescent” mean in lunar phase names?
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Less than half of the Moon’s disk is illuminated. Named for its thin, curved shape like a crescent roll.
Less than half of the Moon’s disk is illuminated. Named for its thin, curved shape like a crescent roll.
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In a flashlight-and-ball model, what does the flashlight represent?
In a flashlight-and-ball model, what does the flashlight represent?
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The Sun. Light source illuminates the ball (Moon) in the model.
The Sun. Light source illuminates the ball (Moon) in the model.
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What is the lunar phase when Earth is between the Sun and the Moon?
What is the lunar phase when Earth is between the Sun and the Moon?
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Full Moon. Earth doesn't block sunlight; Moon's far side faces the Sun.
Full Moon. Earth doesn't block sunlight; Moon's far side faces the Sun.
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In a model, where is the Moon located relative to Earth and the Sun at Full Moon?
In a model, where is the Moon located relative to Earth and the Sun at Full Moon?
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Opposite the Sun on the far side of Earth. Creates a straight line with Earth in the middle.
Opposite the Sun on the far side of Earth. Creates a straight line with Earth in the middle.
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What is the name of the phase when the Moon appears half illuminated and is waxing?
What is the name of the phase when the Moon appears half illuminated and is waxing?
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First Quarter. The right half is lit when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.
First Quarter. The right half is lit when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.
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In a standard North American view, which side of the Moon is lit during waning phases?
In a standard North American view, which side of the Moon is lit during waning phases?
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Left side. Waning phases shrink from left to right.
Left side. Waning phases shrink from left to right.
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In a standard North American view, which side of the Moon is lit during waxing phases?
In a standard North American view, which side of the Moon is lit during waxing phases?
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Right side. Waxing phases grow from right to left.
Right side. Waxing phases grow from right to left.
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Which lunar phase shows less than half illuminated and is decreasing each night?
Which lunar phase shows less than half illuminated and is decreasing each night?
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Waning Crescent. A thin sliver shrinking toward new moon.
Waning Crescent. A thin sliver shrinking toward new moon.
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Which lunar phase shows less than half illuminated and is increasing each night?
Which lunar phase shows less than half illuminated and is increasing each night?
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Waxing Crescent. A thin sliver growing toward first quarter.
Waxing Crescent. A thin sliver growing toward first quarter.
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Which lunar phase shows more than half illuminated and is increasing each night?
Which lunar phase shows more than half illuminated and is increasing each night?
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Waxing Gibbous. Between half and full, growing each night.
Waxing Gibbous. Between half and full, growing each night.
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Which lunar phase shows about 50% of the Moon’s near side illuminated and is waning?
Which lunar phase shows about 50% of the Moon’s near side illuminated and is waning?
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Third Quarter. Left half is lit as the Moon shrinks from full.
Third Quarter. Left half is lit as the Moon shrinks from full.
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Which phase is shown by a model where the Moon is less than half lit and the lit portion is decreasing?
Which phase is shown by a model where the Moon is less than half lit and the lit portion is decreasing?
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Waning Crescent. Less than half + decreasing = Waning Crescent phase.
Waning Crescent. Less than half + decreasing = Waning Crescent phase.
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Which phase comes immediately before Third Quarter in the lunar cycle?
Which phase comes immediately before Third Quarter in the lunar cycle?
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Waning Gibbous. The sequence goes: Full → Waning Gibbous → Third Quarter.
Waning Gibbous. The sequence goes: Full → Waning Gibbous → Third Quarter.
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What does the term “waxing” mean when describing a lunar phase?
What does the term “waxing” mean when describing a lunar phase?
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The illuminated portion is increasing. From Old English meaning "to grow" or "increase."
The illuminated portion is increasing. From Old English meaning "to grow" or "increase."
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What phase name is used when exactly half of the Moon’s visible disk is illuminated and increasing?
What phase name is used when exactly half of the Moon’s visible disk is illuminated and increasing?
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First Quarter. Called 'First' because it's the first half-lit phase after New Moon.
First Quarter. Called 'First' because it's the first half-lit phase after New Moon.
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What phase name is used when exactly half of the Moon’s visible disk is illuminated and decreasing?
What phase name is used when exactly half of the Moon’s visible disk is illuminated and decreasing?
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Third Quarter. Called 'Third' because it's three-quarters through the lunar cycle.
Third Quarter. Called 'Third' because it's three-quarters through the lunar cycle.
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What is the main cause of the changing lunar phases as seen from Earth?
What is the main cause of the changing lunar phases as seen from Earth?
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Changing Sun-Earth-Moon positions as the Moon orbits Earth. Different angles create varying amounts of visible sunlit surface.
Changing Sun-Earth-Moon positions as the Moon orbits Earth. Different angles create varying amounts of visible sunlit surface.
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What is the correct sequence of the 8 main lunar phases starting at New Moon?
What is the correct sequence of the 8 main lunar phases starting at New Moon?
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New, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent. The cycle repeats every 29.5 days as the Moon orbits Earth.
New, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent. The cycle repeats every 29.5 days as the Moon orbits Earth.
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What is the definition of a gibbous Moon in terms of the lit fraction you see?
What is the definition of a gibbous Moon in terms of the lit fraction you see?
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More than half of the visible disk is illuminated. Gibbous means swollen or bulging, nearly full.
More than half of the visible disk is illuminated. Gibbous means swollen or bulging, nearly full.
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Identify the phase for a Moon that is less than half illuminated and the lit part is shrinking.
Identify the phase for a Moon that is less than half illuminated and the lit part is shrinking.
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Waning Crescent. Combines 'waning' (shrinking) with 'crescent' (less than half).
Waning Crescent. Combines 'waning' (shrinking) with 'crescent' (less than half).
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