Which phase of the moon is also known as the first quarter?

The phase of the moon referred to as the first quarter is known as the half moon. This term describes the appearance of the moon when half of its visible surface is illuminated by the sun. During the first quarter phase, the moon is positioned at a right angle relative to the Earth and the sun, which allows us to see exactly half of its surface lit up. This is an essential part of the lunar cycle, occurring approximately one week after the new moon phase, and it is distinct from other phases like the full moon, which shows the entire illuminated surface, or the crescent moon, which displays only a small part of the illuminated surface. Understanding the first quarter as a half moon is crucial for grasping lunar cycles and their visual representations in the sky.