Which is true about crescent moons?

Crescent moons are characterized by their distinct shape, which resembles a curved banana. This shape appears during the phases of the lunar cycle when the moon is transitioning from the new moon phase to the first quarter moon and again as it wanes from the last quarter moon back to a new moon. During these phases, only a small part of the moon's surface is illuminated by sunlight, allowing the characteristic crescent shape to be seen from Earth.

The crescent phase does not indicate that more than half of the moon is visible; rather, it signifies that less than half of the moon’s disk is illuminated. Additionally, crescent moons can occur both before and after the first quarter, not solely at the start of the month. Furthermore, they do not represent the full moon phase, which features the entire side of the moon illuminated. Understanding the various phases of the moon is essential in astronomy and can enhance one's appreciation of celestial events.