Which quarter phase has the eastern half of the Moon illuminated?

Study for the 8th grade Sun-Earth-Moon System Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which quarter phase has the eastern half of the Moon illuminated?

Explanation:
The key idea is that the lit part of the Moon always points toward the Sun. A quarter phase means exactly half of the Moon’s near side is illuminated. When the Moon is at the first quarter, the Sun is positioned so that the illuminated half of the Moon as seen from Earth is on the eastern side. So you observe the eastern half glowing, which is why this phase is described as having the eastern half illuminated.

The key idea is that the lit part of the Moon always points toward the Sun. A quarter phase means exactly half of the Moon’s near side is illuminated. When the Moon is at the first quarter, the Sun is positioned so that the illuminated half of the Moon as seen from Earth is on the eastern side. So you observe the eastern half glowing, which is why this phase is described as having the eastern half illuminated.

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