002.1 Phases of the Moon
A few days after the New Moon, a thin sliver of the sunlit side of the Moon can be seen, but only just before and after sunset.
Suppose that you see a thin crescent Moon that has its open end facing upwards. What direction do you see it and what time could it be?
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With the open end facing upwards, it is a waxing crescent moon, which is visible setting in the West shortly after the Sun sets. Often, if you look for it, you can see it in the afternoon before the Sun sets but it is most visible just after sunset which might be around 6pm or 7pm, depending on the time of year and your location.