Is the moon waxing or waning as it goes from first quarter to full moon?

Is the moon waxing or waning as it goes from first quarter to full moon?

• A. Waxing
• B. Waning
• C. Full
• D. Quarter

Answer: (A)

The Moon’s illuminated portion grows as it moves from first quarter toward full, so this is waxing. Waxing means the lit fraction you see increases each night, progressing from half-lit at first quarter to fully lit at the full moon. Waning would be the opposite—the lighted part shrinking as the Moon moves from full toward new. The terms full and quarter describe specific phases, not the direction of change.

The Moon’s illuminated portion grows as it moves from first quarter toward full, so this is waxing. Waxing means the lit fraction you see increases each night, progressing from half-lit at first quarter to fully lit at the full moon. Waning would be the opposite—the lighted part shrinking as the Moon moves from full toward new. The terms full and quarter describe specific phases, not the direction of change.