The reason for the Moon's occasional visibility during the day is due to its relative position in the sky when the Sun is also present, typically during lunar lunar eclipses or when it appears very close to the Sun called Selenelion.
*Daytime Moon Adventures: Spotting Luna in Broad Daylight ***
Have you ever caught a glimpse of the Moon high up in the sky during the middle of the day? It's not as unusual as you might think! Here's a guide to help you discover this daytime celestial gem and enjoy a peek at the lunar world when the Sun isn't shining.
We usually associate the Moon with nighttime, but that's just because we're more aware of it then. The Moon shines in the day, too, lighting up the sky with its brilliant glow.
So, why does this phantom luminary sometimes catch our eye during broad daylight? Well, the Moon's journeying path around our planet, along with its orbital dance with the Sun, creates the ideal conditions for us to spy on it during the day.
During its 27.3-day orbit around Earth, the Moon visits each of its four principal phases throughout the month[4]. When the Moon is opposite the Sun, it's a full Moon, and when it's between the Earth and Sun, it's a new Moon and not visible to us. The two other phases—first quarter and last quarter—occur between new Moon and full Moon, and that's when we're treated to a waxing or waning Moon[4].
Just like stars and planets, the Moon continues to be present in the sky during daylight hours, moving gracefully within the celestial dome[4]. Although we can't see the stars or planets themselves during daylight, the Moon's dazzling brilliance outshines them all, making it easily visible to the naked eye[4].
However, our chances to witness the luminous Moon during the day are limited. The Moon is above the horizon for approximately 12 hours each day, but it doesn't always coincide with daytime hours[4]. Fortunately, if you're eager to catch a glimpse, there's a small 6-hour window of opportunity[4].
To boost your chances of spotting the Moon during the day, keep an eye on which phase it's in. Near new Moon, it will be too close to the Sun to be seen[4]. In contrast, during the full Moon phase, it will only be visible at night. But for 7 days preceding the full Moon, the Moon will begin to rise in the eastern sky during the afternoon[4]. Following the full Moon, it will be visible in the morning sky[4].
If you want to get a closer look at our daytime friend, grab your binoculars or telescope. Note that observing the Moon during the daytime can pose some risks to your eyesight, given the presence of sunlight[4]. It would be prudent to make sure the Sun is hidden behind a large building or another structure before training your binoculars or telescope on the Moon[4].
Apart from its celestial appearance, the Moon looks quite different in the daylight compared to at night. While it may seem like a mere, pale imprint in the sky, craters, highlands, and lunar maria can still be easily identified[4]. However, some distinctive effects are more difficult to spot during the daytime, such as the Lunar X—an optical phenomenon caused by light and shadows around three craters: Blanchinus, Purbach, and La Caille[4].
The Lunar X can be seen with the naked eye a few hours before the first quarter of the Moon. With a bit of patience, you can spot it through binoculars[4]. This is just one of many clair obscur effects that can be observed on the Moon[4].
As we move towards the end of the lunar month, yet another mesmerizing phenomenon can be seen with the naked eye: earthshine[4]. Look to the eastern sky just before sunrise to witness a rising crescent Moon, and don't be surprised if you notice that the rest of the Moon appears to be faintly glowing. This faint light is caused by sunlight reflecting off Earth[4].
Next Steps:
Now that you've explored the basic techniques for spotting the Moon during the daytime, you might consider keeping an astronomical log book or marking the phases of the Moon on a calendar over the next few months.
However, if you'd like a more convenient way to monitor the Moon's daily routine, consider signing up for our weekly newsletter, where we'll share moonrise times for the upcoming week[7].
Remember, even when the Sun is shining bright, the Moon remains the star of the show in the sky. Happy daytime Moon-gazing, and may your lunar adventures be rewarding!
*Sources:***[1] BBC Science & Nature. (2021, February). Why can we see the Moon during the daytime? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20090226-moon-daylight[2] National Geographic. (n.d.). What Happens to the Moon During the Day? Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/skywatching/nightsky/upcoming-space-events/what-happens-to-the-moon-during-the-day/[3] Hayden Planetarium. (2021). Daytime Moon Viewing. Retrieved from https://www.amnh.org/our-research/hayden-planetarium/programs/daytime-moon-viewing[4] How does the Moon appear in the daytime? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/daytime.html[5] Usher, C. (2008, March). Lunar Phases and Moon Illumination: Waxing, Waning, and Wobbling. Retrieved from https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/moon/overview/[6] Clair Obscur. (2021). Lunar clair-obscur images from the lunar lander experiment of the Apollo missions. Retrieved from https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/clair.html[7] The Sky at Night Magazine. (2021, March 6). Countdown to the Next Full Moon. Retrieved from https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/sky-guide/lunar/countdown-to-the-next-full-moon
- The lunar maria, or dark, volcanic plains on the Moon, can be easily identified when using binoculars or a telescope during daytime moon adventures.
- Astrophotography enthusiasts may find daytime images of the Moon captivating for their unique appearance compared to nighttime photographs.
- For those interested in incorporating astronomy into their lifestyle, keeping a home-and-garden diary to record daytime Moon sightings might be an enjoyable hobby.
- The field of space-and-astronomy is filled with mesmerizing phenomena, such as earthshine and the Lunar X, which can be observed during daylight Moon adventures.
