Which Moon phase follows the Third Quarter?

Which Moon phase follows the Third Quarter?

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

Answer: (D)

As the Moon orbits Earth, the visible illumination changes in a regular cycle, with waxing meaning increasing light and waning meaning decreasing light. After the Last Quarter (Third Quarter), the illuminated portion is shrinking, so the next phase is Waning Crescent. This crescent phase comes before New Moon, when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth and not visible. The other options don’t fit because Waxing Crescent occurs earlier in the cycle when illumination is increasing, First Quarter comes midway through the cycle after Waxing Crescent, and New Moon marks the start of the cycle, before any waning phases.

As the Moon orbits Earth, the visible illumination changes in a regular cycle, with waxing meaning increasing light and waning meaning decreasing light. After the Last Quarter (Third Quarter), the illuminated portion is shrinking, so the next phase is Waning Crescent. This crescent phase comes before New Moon, when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth and not visible. The other options don’t fit because Waxing Crescent occurs earlier in the cycle when illumination is increasing, First Quarter comes midway through the cycle after Waxing Crescent, and New Moon marks the start of the cycle, before any waning phases.