Moon phases (in order) from New Moon onward are:

Moon phases (in order) from New Moon onward are:

• A. New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter
• B. New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Full Moon
• C. New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous
• D. New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent

Answer: (D)

As the Moon orbits Earth, the part that is lit by the Sun changes in a predictable sequence, so you see a full set of stages from New Moon back to New Moon. The illuminated portion grows during the waxing phase and then shrinks during the waning phase. The complete order is: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent. This includes every familiar stage in the correct progression, showing both the crescents, quarters, and gibbous phases on the way to and from the Full Moon. Any option that skips crescents, gibbous stages, or halves the cycle isn’t capturing the full sequence of lunar phases.

As the Moon orbits Earth, the part that is lit by the Sun changes in a predictable sequence, so you see a full set of stages from New Moon back to New Moon. The illuminated portion grows during the waxing phase and then shrinks during the waning phase. The complete order is: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent. This includes every familiar stage in the correct progression, showing both the crescents, quarters, and gibbous phases on the way to and from the Full Moon. Any option that skips crescents, gibbous stages, or halves the cycle isn’t capturing the full sequence of lunar phases.