Astronomy Practice Exam

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What characterizes the last quarter moon phase?

The moon is fully illuminated
The moon is one quarter illuminated and decreasing in illumination
The moon is completely dark
The moon is half illuminated and increasing in illumination

The correct answer is: The moon is one quarter illuminated and decreasing in illumination

The last quarter moon phase is characterized by the moon being half illuminated and decreasing in illumination. During this phase, half of the moon's surface is visible from Earth, specifically the left side for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs roughly one week after the full moon phase when the moon has transitioned from being fully illuminated to a more diminished brightness. In more detail, the last quarter is the phase where the moon has completed about three-quarters of its orbit around Earth, and it is positioned such that the sunlight is hitting it from the opposite side compared to the new moon phase. The decreasing illumination indicates that it is moving towards the new moon phase, where it will eventually become completely dark. Understanding this sequence helps to comprehend the cyclic nature of the lunar phases, illustrating how they transition from full illumination to full darkness over the lunar month.