Question

a student went outside one evening and saw a full moon. about how many days later can the student expect to see the next third quarter moon?

Answer 1

A student can expect to see the next third quarter moon approximately one week after observing a full moon. This is due to the lunar phase cycle which lasts about 29.5 days with the major phases separated by roughly one week.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a student saw a full moon one evening, they can expect to see the next third quarter moon approximately one week later. The lunar phase cycle lasts about 29.5 days, with each major phase (new moon, first quarter, full moon, third quarter) appearing roughly a week apart. So, after the full moon, the moon's appearance changes as it wanes toward the next major phase—the third quarter. At the third quarter, half of the Moon's visible side (the side facing Earth) is illuminated by the sun, and the moon rises around midnight and sets around noon.

Answer 2

The student can expect to see the next third quarter moon in about 7.38 days.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lunar cycle, the time between two full moons, takes approximately 29.5 days. Since the third quarter moon falls halfway between the full moon and the new moon, it occurs roughly 7.38 days after the full moon.

Therefore, if the student saw a full moon one evening, they can expect to see the next third quarter moon about 7.38 days later.