Final answer:
The correct order of phases of the Moon starts with the new moon, then progresses to the first quarter, full moon, and last quarter, and returns to the new moon, completing a 29.5-day cycle. The answer is option C, which lists the phases in reverse starting with the full moon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order of the phases of the Moon, starting with the new moon, is as follows: new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter, and then a new moon again. This cycle takes about 29.5 days to complete. The new moon phase represents a time when the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth because the side of the Moon that is illuminated is facing away from us. After the new moon, as the Moon orbits Earth, we see more of the illuminated side, culminating in the full moon when the entire illuminated side of the Moon is facing Earth.
Approximately a week after the new moon, the Moon is at the first quarter phase, which means it is one-quarter of the way through its orbit. During the first quarter, half of the Moon's illuminated side is visible from Earth. The Moon rises around noon and sets around midnight during this phase. After this, the Moon continues to wax, moving towards the full moon phase, where it appears completely illuminated from our perspective. Following the full moon, the Moon starts to wane, passing through the last quarter phase about a week later, where again half of the Moon's illuminated side is visible, but this time it is the opposite half compared to the first quarter phase. The Moon rises around midnight and sets around noon during the last quarter phase.
Therefore, the correct order is represented by option C: full moon, last quarter, new moon, first quarter, and then full moon again.