Malini saw the Moon overhead in the sky at sunset. (i) Draw the phase of the Moon that Malini saw. (ii) Is the Moon in the waxing or the waning phase?
The drawing should show a semicircle with the right half illuminated (bright) and the left half dark. This represents the first quarter Moon.
The Moon is in the waxing phase. A waxing Moon is easiest to spot at sunset, and the first quarter Moon (half circle) appears overhead at sunset.
Explanation
(i) When the Moon is overhead at sunset, it is at the first quarter position in its orbit. The illuminated half faces toward the Sun (setting in the west), so the right side of the Moon appears bright when viewed from Earth. (ii) The chapter clearly states: 'A waxing Moon is easiest to spot at sunset, and a waning Moon at sunrise.' Since Malini observed the Moon at sunset, it must be in the waxing phase.