Which term describes a moon phase that looks like more than half a circle from Earth?

Which term describes a moon phase that looks like more than half a circle from Earth?

• A. Full Moon
• B. Gibbous Moon
• C. New Moon
• D. Moon Phase

Answer: (B)

Moon phase terminology depends on how much of the Moon’s near side is lit as seen from Earth. A phase that looks like more than half of the Moon is illuminated is called a gibbous Moon. This occurs after the first quarter and before the full Moon, as more of the Moon’s sunlit side becomes visible. A full Moon would appear fully illuminated, not just more than half. A new Moon is when the near side is dark and not visible, and “Moon Phase” is a general label rather than a specific illuminated fraction.

Moon phase terminology depends on how much of the Moon’s near side is lit as seen from Earth. A phase that looks like more than half of the Moon is illuminated is called a gibbous Moon. This occurs after the first quarter and before the full Moon, as more of the Moon’s sunlit side becomes visible. A full Moon would appear fully illuminated, not just more than half. A new Moon is when the near side is dark and not visible, and “Moon Phase” is a general label rather than a specific illuminated fraction.