Phases of the Moon Quiz

How many phases does the moon go through in a complete cycle?

• Ten

• Four

• Six

• Eight

What is the position of the moon during a New Moon?

• Closest to the Sun

• Halfway to the Sun

• Farthest from the Sun

• Directly opposite the Sun

Which phase follows the New Moon?

• Third Quarter

• Waxing Crescent

• Full Moon

• Waning Crescent

What does the term 'waxing' refer to in moon phases?

• Stable illumination

• No illumination

• Increasing illumination

• Decreasing illumination

How long does the entire lunar cycle take to complete?

• 27.3 days

• 29.5 days

• 31 days

• 28 days

In which hemisphere does the moon appear to travel in a counterclockwise orbit?

• Southern Hemisphere

• Neither Hemisphere

• Northern Hemisphere

• Both Hemispheres

What is a 'blue moon'?

• A moon at its closest point to Earth

• A moon during a lunar eclipse

• The second full moon in a calendar month

• A moon that appears blue

What is a 'super moon'?

• A moon at its closest point to Earth

• A moon that appears smaller

• A moon at its farthest point from Earth

• A moon during a solar eclipse

What causes a lunar eclipse?

• The moon moving away from the Sun

• The Earth casting a shadow on the moon

• The moon passing between the Earth and the Sun

• The Sun blocking the moon

What is the visual difference between a waxing and waning gibbous moon?

• Both are on the right

• Both are on the left

• Waxing is on the right, waning on the left

• Waxing is on the left, waning on the right