Question

Which of the following groups of moon phases are above the horizon at 8 am?

Answer 1

The correct option is:

B. new Moon, third quarter, and waning gibbous

Explanation:

Firstly, for the moon to be visible at all, even during the night, it has to be above the horizon so as to be visible.  

• The new/full moon rises when the sun is about to set, and only fades  when the sun starts to rise in the sky. This is how we see the full moon in the sky, which mostly the sun’s light reflecting on the surface of the moon.

• Third quarter moon rises during midnight and sets during mid day, hence we see the crescent part of the moon.

• Waning gibbous moon rises quite later into the night, hence sets later in the day, therefore we  see it in the morning sky.