What is the phase immediately following New Moon as the Moon's illuminated portion grows?

What is the phase immediately following New Moon as the Moon's illuminated portion grows?

• A. Waxing Crescent
• B. First Quarter
• C. Full Moon
• D. Waning Crescent

Answer: (A)

After New Moon, the Moon’s visible illumination begins to grow each day. This growing phase is called waxing, and the first visible sliver of light is a crescent, so the phase right after New Moon is a Waxing Crescent. It appears a few days after New Moon as the illuminated portion increases toward half-lit at First Quarter. The other phases don’t fit because First Quarter is when half of the Moon is illuminated, Full Moon is when the Moon is fully illuminated, and Waning Crescent occurs later in the cycle after the illumination has started to shrink toward New Moon.

After New Moon, the Moon’s visible illumination begins to grow each day. This growing phase is called waxing, and the first visible sliver of light is a crescent, so the phase right after New Moon is a Waxing Crescent. It appears a few days after New Moon as the illuminated portion increases toward half-lit at First Quarter.

The other phases don’t fit because First Quarter is when half of the Moon is illuminated, Full Moon is when the Moon is fully illuminated, and Waning Crescent occurs later in the cycle after the illumination has started to shrink toward New Moon.