Which Moon phase is completely dark?

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Multiple Choice

Which Moon phase is completely dark?

Explanation:
The Moon’s appearance changes because of how much of its sunlit side we can see from Earth. It doesn’t emit light itself; it shines by reflecting sunlight. The phase that looks completely dark happens when the Moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth. In that alignment, the side that faces us on Earth is the side not lit by the Sun, so our view shows no illuminated portion at all—the New Moon. If you look at the other phases, you’ll see how the fraction of the lit hemisphere changes: a Full Moon occurs when Earth lies between the Sun and Moon and the near side is fully lit; First Quarter shows half of the near side illuminated; Gibbous is more than half lit but not yet full.

The Moon’s appearance changes because of how much of its sunlit side we can see from Earth. It doesn’t emit light itself; it shines by reflecting sunlight. The phase that looks completely dark happens when the Moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth. In that alignment, the side that faces us on Earth is the side not lit by the Sun, so our view shows no illuminated portion at all—the New Moon.

If you look at the other phases, you’ll see how the fraction of the lit hemisphere changes: a Full Moon occurs when Earth lies between the Sun and Moon and the near side is fully lit; First Quarter shows half of the near side illuminated; Gibbous is more than half lit but not yet full.

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