Which Moon phase rises at midnight and sets at noon?

Which Moon phase rises at midnight and sets at noon?

• A. First Quarter Moon
• B. Third Quarter Moon
• C. New Moon
• D. Full Moon

Answer: (B)

The Moon’s rise and set times are tied to where it sits relative to the Sun in the sky. When the Moon is at the Third Quarter (Last Quarter), it is roughly 90 degrees west of the Sun. That position means the Moon is opposite the Sun in the sky, so it becomes visible around midnight, is highest near dawn, and then sets around noon. So it rises at midnight and sets around noon. For context, a New Moon is near the Sun and rises with it (around sunrise) and sets with it (around sunset), so it’s not up at midnight. A Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. A First Quarter Moon rises around noon and sets around midnight.

The Moon’s rise and set times are tied to where it sits relative to the Sun in the sky. When the Moon is at the Third Quarter (Last Quarter), it is roughly 90 degrees west of the Sun. That position means the Moon is opposite the Sun in the sky, so it becomes visible around midnight, is highest near dawn, and then sets around noon. So it rises at midnight and sets around noon.

For context, a New Moon is near the Sun and rises with it (around sunrise) and sets with it (around sunset), so it’s not up at midnight. A Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. A First Quarter Moon rises around noon and sets around midnight.