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Astronomy & space · Grades 4–8

The Moon’s phases in order

Study guide for Grades 4 to 8: 2 worked examples and 2 practice questions. Waxing means the lit part we see is growing; waning means it is shrinking. One full cycle takes about a month.

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Rule and key idea

Waxing means the lit part we see is growing; waning means it is shrinking. One full cycle takes about a month.

new → crescent → first quarter → gibbous → full → gibbous → third quarter → crescent

Worked examples

In the Moon’s cycle of phases, which phase comes right after the waning crescent?

Cycle: new moon → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full moon → waning gibbous → third quarter → waning crescent → new moon.

new moon

In the Moon’s cycle of phases, which phase comes right after the waxing crescent?

Cycle: new moon → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full moon → waning gibbous → third quarter → waning crescent → new moon.

first quarter

Try two questions

  1. In the Moon’s cycle of phases, which phase comes right after the waning gibbous?

    1. first quarter
    2. waxing gibbous
    3. third quarter
    4. new moon

  2. In the Moon’s cycle of phases, which phase comes right before the waning gibbous?

    1. first quarter
    2. full moon
    3. waxing gibbous
    4. new moon

Answers and reasoning

Answers and marking notes
  1. third quarter

    Cycle: new moon → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full moon → waning gibbous → third quarter → waning crescent → new moon.

  2. full moon

    Cycle: new moon → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full moon → waning gibbous → third quarter → waning crescent → new moon.

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