Which phase comes after Waning Gibbous in the lunar cycle?

Which phase comes after Waning Gibbous in the lunar cycle?

• A. First Quarter
• B. Third Quarter
• C. New Moon
• D. Full Moon

Answer: (B)

During the Moon’s cycle, waning means the illuminated portion is shrinking after a Full Moon. After that Full Moon, the next stage you see is Waning Gibbous, and the phase that comes after it is Third Quarter (also called Last Quarter). Third Quarter shows half of the Moon illuminated, with the lit portion on the opposite side from the First Quarter. This is followed by Waning Crescent and then New Moon as the cycle moves toward the next New Moon. The other options occur earlier or later in the cycle: First Quarter is during the waxing phase before Full Moon, New Moon happens after Waning Crescent, and Full Moon comes before Waning Gibbous.

During the Moon’s cycle, waning means the illuminated portion is shrinking after a Full Moon. After that Full Moon, the next stage you see is Waning Gibbous, and the phase that comes after it is Third Quarter (also called Last Quarter). Third Quarter shows half of the Moon illuminated, with the lit portion on the opposite side from the First Quarter. This is followed by Waning Crescent and then New Moon as the cycle moves toward the next New Moon. The other options occur earlier or later in the cycle: First Quarter is during the waxing phase before Full Moon, New Moon happens after Waning Crescent, and Full Moon comes before Waning Gibbous.