1st and 3rd Quarter
By: Eve Anders
Differences
The 1st quarter always happens in the evening sky while the 3rd quarter happens in the morning sky. When it is the 1st quarter in the moons month-long orbit has just passed the sun and coming out into the evening sky. Lots of people see it. Since the last quarter rises around midnight, many fewer see it, because it comes up only after people have gone to bed.
At first quarter, we see the western part of the moons face from earth. The last quarter shows more of the eastern half.
At first quarter, the illuminated area of the moon is growing or "waxing." Each night it gets larger, until a week later the moon is full. At last quarter it is getting smaller night by night, or "waning," until at new moon is fully covered by the earth and no light is reflecting off of it.
Similarities
They have the same amount of light illuminating of of them. And they are both moon phases.