Question

what is a difference between a waxing crescent and a waning gibbous? (1 point)
waxing crescent occurs during the third quarter
waning gibbous occurs during the first quarter
waxing crescent occurs during the second quarter
waning gibbous occurs during the third quarter
waxing crescent occurs during the fourth quarter
waning gibbous occurs during the first quarter
waxing crescent occurs during the first quarter
waning gibbous occurs during the third quarter

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the lunar phases: Waxing phases (like waxing crescent) occur when the moon is increasing in illumination, during the first quarter (moving from new moon to full moon). Waning phases (like waning gibbous) occur when the moon is decreasing in illumination, during the third quarter (moving from full moon to new moon). Let's analyze each option:

• First option: Waxing crescent is not in third quarter (third is waning), wrong.
• Second option: Waning gibbous not in first quarter (first is waxing), wrong.
• Third option: Waxing crescent not in fourth quarter, wrong.
• Fourth option: Waxing crescent in first quarter (correct, as waxing happens in first half of lunar cycle) and waning gibbous in third quarter (correct, as waning happens in second half), this matches.

Answer:

D. waxing crescent occurs during the first quarter
waning gibbous occurs during the third quarter

(Note: Assuming the last option is labeled D; if the original had labels like A, B, C, D with the last being D, this is the correct one. The key is the phase timings: waxing (increasing) in first quarter period, waning (decreasing) in third quarter period.)