8th The Sun-Earth-Moon System (C20) Practice Test

Which phase is seen when the illuminated portion is one quarter of the Moon's disk?

New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter

Correct Answer:

First Quarter

Explanation:

As the Moon orbits Earth, the portion that is illuminated by the Sun visible from Earth changes, creating the Moon’s phases. The halfway point in the cycle—about a quarter of the way from New Moon toward Full Moon—produces a phase where roughly half of the Moon’s disk is lit. This is the First Quarter, which is why it’s the correct choice: it represents the mid-point of the cycle with the near side showing a half-moon. In the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll see the right half illuminated at this phase. The other options correspond to 0% illumination (New Moon), 100% illumination (Full Moon), and the opposite half-lit at the three-quarter point (Third Quarter).

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