Question

What is it called when the phases of the Moon appear to get larger? A) waning C) rotating B) waxing D) revolving

Short answer

The Moon appears to get larger when it is waxing.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Term Related to Moon Phases

To solve the question about the phases of the Moon, first, understand the key terms related to how the Moon's appearance changes from Earth. There are two main terms: 'waxing' and 'waning'. 'Waxing' refers to the phases when the illuminated portion of the Moon visible from Earth is increasing, while 'waning' refers to when it is decreasing.

Analyze the Options Given in the Question

Now, review the given options: A) waning - refers to the decreasing illumination phase. B) waxing - refers to the increasing illumination phase. C) rotating - not directly related to the change in Moon phases as it involves spinning around an axis. D) revolving - means moving in an orbit around another body and not directly related to the Moon appearing larger.

Choose the Correct Option

Based on our analysis, the option that describes the Moon's phases appearing to get larger is 'waxing', which corresponds to option B. This is because 'waxing' specifically describes the phases where the visible surface of the Moon is growing.

Key concepts

Waxing

When we talk about the waxing phase of the Moon, we are referring to the period in the lunar cycle where the visible portion of the Moon is increasing. This is the time when more of the Moon's surface is illuminated by the Sun and is visible from Earth.
The waxing phase comes after the New Moon and before the Full Moon. During this time, you will notice:

• More of the Moon's surface becoming visible each night.
• The Moon appearing to grow larger.
• Lots of opportunities to spot different Moon phases like Waxing Crescent and Waxing Gibbous.

Understanding the waxing phase helps in observing different lunar phases more accurately and predicting when the Moon will appear more luminous.

Waning

The waning phase of the Moon occurs after the Full Moon and before the New Moon. In this phase, as the days progress, you will notice that the visible portion of the Moon is decreasing.
The waning phase includes:

• The Moon appearing to shrink night by night.
• The gradual transition from a fully illuminated Moon back to a mostly dark New Moon.
• Phases such as Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

When it comes to observing the waning phases, it's about noticing how the Moon changes and recedes, moving towards the start of a new lunar cycle.

Lunar Cycle

The lunar cycle is the entire sequence of phases that the Moon goes through as it orbits around Earth, usually lasting about 29.5 days. This cycle is fascinating because it demonstrates how celestial bodies interact with light.
The lunar cycle includes several identifiable phases:

• New Moon: The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, making it mostly invisible.
• Crescent: A small sliver of the Moon becomes visible.
• First Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated.
• Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is visible.
• Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated.
• Back to New: Completing the cycle, leading back to a new Moon.

Each of these phases corresponds to specific positions of the Moon relative to the Earth and Sun, making the lunar cycle a powerful tool for understanding Earth's place in space.