Astronomy Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Preparation Guide

The waxing crescent phase of the moon is characterized by the visible portion of the moon being less than half illuminated and this illumination is increasing. During this phase, the moon appears as a thin sliver or crescent in the sky, following the new moon phase, and it gradually becomes more illuminated each night as it moves towards the first quarter phase. This gradual increase in illumination is a key feature of the waxing phases of the moon.

In contrast, the other choices describe different lunar phases: the second option refers to the full moon, where the entire face is illuminated; the third describes the new moon phase, when the moon is not visible; and the fourth indicates the waning gibbous phase, where more than half of the moon is illuminated but the illumination is decreasing. Each of these stages has distinct characteristics that differentiate them from the waxing crescent phase.