Which Moon phase is the Full Moon?

Which Moon phase is the Full Moon?

• A. First Quarter
• B. Third Quarter
• C. New Moon
• D. Full Moon

Answer: (D)

The phase is Full Moon when the Moon’s near side is completely illuminated as we see it from Earth. This happens because the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, so Earth sits between them and sunlight shines directly on the side facing us. When the Moon is between the Sun and Earth (the New Moon), the illuminated side faces away from us, so the Moon looks dark. The first and last (third) quarter phases show a half-lit Moon, with only half of the disk illuminated. In short, a fully lit view of the Moon from Earth is what defines the Full Moon.

The phase is Full Moon when the Moon’s near side is completely illuminated as we see it from Earth. This happens because the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, so Earth sits between them and sunlight shines directly on the side facing us. When the Moon is between the Sun and Earth (the New Moon), the illuminated side faces away from us, so the Moon looks dark. The first and last (third) quarter phases show a half-lit Moon, with only half of the disk illuminated. In short, a fully lit view of the Moon from Earth is what defines the Full Moon.