Which Moon phase occurs immediately before the Full Moon?

Which Moon phase occurs immediately before the Full Moon?

• A. First Quarter Moon
• B. Waning Gibbous Moon
• C. Last Quarter Moon
• D. New Moon

Answer: (B)

As the Moon goes through its cycle, the illuminated portion grows from New Moon to Full Moon and then shrinks back to New Moon. The phase just before the Full Moon is Waxing Gibbous. "Waxing" means the illumination is increasing, and "gibbous" means more than half lit but not yet full. A First Quarter Moon happens earlier in the cycle when half the Moon is lit and growing, and a New Moon is when nothing is visible. After the Full Moon comes Waning Gibbous as the illumination begins to decrease. So the Moon phase immediately before the Full Moon is Waxing Gibbous.

As the Moon goes through its cycle, the illuminated portion grows from New Moon to Full Moon and then shrinks back to New Moon. The phase just before the Full Moon is Waxing Gibbous. "Waxing" means the illumination is increasing, and "gibbous" means more than half lit but not yet full. A First Quarter Moon happens earlier in the cycle when half the Moon is lit and growing, and a New Moon is when nothing is visible. After the Full Moon comes Waning Gibbous as the illumination begins to decrease. So the Moon phase immediately before the Full Moon is Waxing Gibbous.