What time will a full moon set if it is at its zenith at 12 AM?

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Dive into the AST2002 Astronomy Midterm at UCF. Enhance your understanding through engaging flashcards and insightful multiple-choice questions. Prepare effectively and boost your confidence for this academic challenge!

When a full moon is at its zenith at 12 AM, it is positioned at the highest point in the sky directly above the observer. The full moon rises in the east around sunset and sets in the west around sunrise. Since the moon takes about 12 hours to travel from its zenith to the horizon, you can calculate the time it will set by adding approximately 6 hours to the zenith time.

Therefore, if the full moon is at its zenith at 12 AM, it would rise earlier in the evening and then set about 6 hours later, which means it will set around 6 AM. This following the natural movement of celestial bodies in relation to Earth and the cycle of night and day helps clarify the lunar phases and their visibility in the sky.