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The phases called "first quarter" and "third quarter" have those labels because they

occur one quarter and three quarters of the period of time from one new moon until

the next new moon.

At both of those times, we see half of the moon lit up.

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How is the Moon's st quarter phase like the 3rd quarter phase?

The Moon's third quarter phase, also known as the last quarter, occurs when half of the Moon's visible surface is illuminated and is located between the full moon and the new moon. The first quarter phase, conversely, also features half of the Moon illuminated but occurs between the new moon and the full moon. Both phases showcase the same amount of illumination (50% of the lunar surface), but they are opposite each other in the lunar cycle, with the first quarter appearing in the evening sky and the third quarter in the morning sky.


Is lunar phase and quarter moon the same?

No, lunar phase refers to the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth, which changes continuously throughout the lunar cycle. A quarter moon specifically refers to the Moon when it is half-illuminated, representing either the first or last quarter of the lunar cycle.


Why is the first quarter moon phase called that?

At "half Moon" we see half of the Moon's hemisphere that is facing Earth. But "half Moon" isn't what astronomers call that phase of the Moon. It is called a "quarter Moon" phase. That's because the Moon has completed one quarter (at First Quarter phase) or three quarters (at Third Quarter phase) of an orbit around the Earth since new Moon. (Another possible reason is that we see a quarter of the total surface of the Moon at these phases.)


How long does it take to move from new moon to quarter moon?

One lunar month is 29.53 days, the time taken from one new moon to the next. The first quarter is 7.3825 days from the new moon phase, one quarter of the lunar month. That's about 7 days and 8 hours.


On a clear night when an observer in Los Angeles sees a first quarter Moon an observer in London would see?

That person in London would see a new moon.

Related Questions

How is the Moon's st quarter phase like the 3rd quarter phase?

The Moon's third quarter phase, also known as the last quarter, occurs when half of the Moon's visible surface is illuminated and is located between the full moon and the new moon. The first quarter phase, conversely, also features half of the Moon illuminated but occurs between the new moon and the full moon. Both phases showcase the same amount of illumination (50% of the lunar surface), but they are opposite each other in the lunar cycle, with the first quarter appearing in the evening sky and the third quarter in the morning sky.


The amount of the lighted side of the moon you can see is the same during?

The amount of the lighted side of the moon you can see is the same during the first quarter and the last quarter phases. In both phases, half of the moon's illuminated side is visible from Earth.


Is lunar phase and quarter moon the same?

No, lunar phase refers to the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth, which changes continuously throughout the lunar cycle. A quarter moon specifically refers to the Moon when it is half-illuminated, representing either the first or last quarter of the lunar cycle.


when looking at the phases of the moon how do a quarter and a half moon look alike?

half moon is double a quarter moon, and they're both silver Another viewpoint: This question may be referring to the "quarter phases" of the Moon. At these times the Moon is a "half Moon". These are just different ways of saying the same thing. It's called a first (or third) quarter phase, because the Moon is a quarter (or three quarters) of the way through its cycle of phases . It can cause confusion.


What fraction of the moon can be seen from the moon when the moon is at its third quarter phase?

Half of it, the same as always. Half of the visible side of the Moon will be brightly lit by the Sun, and the other half is often dimly visible by reflected earthshine, sunlight that is reflected from the Earth and then shines down on the night side of the Moon.


If the moon is in the new phase tonight what phase will it be one week from now?

One week from now, the moon will likely be in the first quarter phase, where half of the moon is illuminated. The new moon phase is followed by the waxing crescent phase and then the first quarter phase in the lunar cycle.


Why is the first quarter moon phase called that?

At "half Moon" we see half of the Moon's hemisphere that is facing Earth. But "half Moon" isn't what astronomers call that phase of the Moon. It is called a "quarter Moon" phase. That's because the Moon has completed one quarter (at First Quarter phase) or three quarters (at Third Quarter phase) of an orbit around the Earth since new Moon. (Another possible reason is that we see a quarter of the total surface of the Moon at these phases.)


Is a new moon and a quarter moon the same?

No they are not. The moon is round so a half moon would be half of the moon showing while a quarter moon would 1 out of 4 parts of the moon.


Where is moon when half lit?

The moon's phases result from the changing relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. It doesn't matter where the moon is when it's half-lit (or in its first quarter); its position relative to Earth and the Sun does matter, however. When the Sun and Moon are aligned on the same side of the Earth the Moon is "new", and the side of the Moon visible from Earth is not illuminated by the Sun. As the Moon waxes (the amount of illuminated surface as seen from Earth is increasing), the lunar phases progress from new moon, crescent moon, first-quarter moon, gibbous moon and full moon phases, before returning through the gibbous moon, third-quarter (or last quarter) moon, crescent moon and new moon phases.


What is the definition of a quarter moon?

It is when on Earth we see one quarter of the moon lit up. The surface of the moon is always illuminated a little over 50% by the sun but what we see of it on Earth varies as it revolves around the Earth from none (New moon) to about 50% (Full moon) One quarter is in between.


Do medicine cats meet at half moon or quarter moon?

Medicine cats meet at the half-moon. This is when they gather at the Moonstone or Moonpool to share dreams and receive messages from StarClan.


Why is there a half moon and quarter moon?

They are the same thing. "Half Moon" refers to half of the Moon's hemisphere that faces Earth being illuminated. That happens at one quarter and three quarters of the way through the Moon's phases. That's why we refer to the "first quarter" and the "third quarter" in the Moon's phases.