Which Moon phase is seen when the illuminated portion is more than half and growing toward a full moon?

Which Moon phase is seen when the illuminated portion is more than half and growing toward a full moon?

• A. New Moon
• B. Full Moon
• C. Waxing Gibbous
• D. Last Quarter

Answer: (C)

Think of the Moon’s cycle as how much of its Sunlit side we can see from Earth as it orbits. “Waxing” means the illumination is increasing, and “gibbous” means the lit portion is more than half but not yet full. After the first-quarter phase, the Moon appears more than half lit and continues to brighten toward a full Moon. That stage, where more than half is illuminated and it’s growing, is the waxing gibbous phase. It sits between the first quarter and the Full Moon. The other phases are New Moon (0% illuminated), Full Moon (fully illuminated), and Last Quarter (half illuminated but waning toward New Moon).

Think of the Moon’s cycle as how much of its Sunlit side we can see from Earth as it orbits. “Waxing” means the illumination is increasing, and “gibbous” means the lit portion is more than half but not yet full. After the first-quarter phase, the Moon appears more than half lit and continues to brighten toward a full Moon. That stage, where more than half is illuminated and it’s growing, is the waxing gibbous phase. It sits between the first quarter and the Full Moon. The other phases are New Moon (0% illuminated), Full Moon (fully illuminated), and Last Quarter (half illuminated but waning toward New Moon).