Which phase is seen after Third Quarter and before New Moon?

Which phase is seen after Third Quarter and before New Moon?

• A. New Moon
• B. Waxing Crescent
• C. Waning Crescent
• D. Full Moon

Answer: (C)

After Third Quarter, the Moon is moving toward the New Moon, so the illuminated part we can see is shrinking. That shrinking crescent is the waning crescent. It appears as a thin crescent, usually in the pre-dawn sky, as the Moon rises before sunrise and fades toward the Sun. This phase sits between Third Quarter and New Moon in the progression of Moon phases. A Waxing Crescent would occur earlier in the cycle as illumination increases, while a Full Moon or New Moon appear at different points in the cycle and don’t match this shrinking, crescent appearance.

After Third Quarter, the Moon is moving toward the New Moon, so the illuminated part we can see is shrinking. That shrinking crescent is the waning crescent. It appears as a thin crescent, usually in the pre-dawn sky, as the Moon rises before sunrise and fades toward the Sun. This phase sits between Third Quarter and New Moon in the progression of Moon phases. A Waxing Crescent would occur earlier in the cycle as illumination increases, while a Full Moon or New Moon appear at different points in the cycle and don’t match this shrinking, crescent appearance.