We have all grown up hearing that the sun comes out during the day, and when the sun sets, the moon rises. But sometimes, when we catch a glimpse of the moon during the day, we are left a little perplexed because that is not how it is supposed to be, right? Wrong.
The moon and the sun can be seen together. In fact, the moon is present at the same time as the sun during the day most days of the year except during the solar or lunar eclipse. This happens because the moon orbits the earth. That whole cycle takes 28 days; for half that time, the moon is present on the earth’s daytime side. Even if we exclude the three days of the lunar eclipse, the moon comes out in the day for 11/28 days of the cycle.
The moon appears to fade during the day because the sun’s light is brighter than the moon, which blocks it out. But when the sun is covered with clouds or is setting, and its brightness appears to be lowered, the moon and the sun can be seen simultaneously.
Caught a little by surprise? If you want to learn more about this, keep reading.
Why Is The Moon Visible During The Day?
To understand why the sun and moon can be seen simultaneously, the first thing you need to know is that the moon does come out during the day. The second necessary clarification is that the sun and the moon are not on opposite sides. In fact, the moon’s orbital plane is almost in line with the orbital plane of the sun.
The moon and the stars are always visible in the sky. The moon orbits the earth, and each moon cycle takes approximately 28 days. For half this time, the moon is out during the day.
When Is The Moon Not Visible?
The moon’s visibility decreases in brighter sunlight because the light of the sub obscures the moonlight at times. The moon does not appear in the sky at all during the day for roughly three days. This is the time duration of the new moon. During the new moon, the sun and the moon align with each other and the earth. The side of the moon lit up by the sun faces away from the earth, making it invisible.
What Is The Best Time To See The Moon During The Day?
The best time to see the moon during the day is when it’s in its first and last quarter phases. That is when it reflects most light from the sun because it makes a 90 degrees angle with the sun. This typically happens when the sun is rising or setting.
In Conclusion
There is no reason why the sun and the moon cannot be spotted simultaneously. The visibility does depend on certain factors like the angle of the sun in relation to the moon and how bright it is outside, but the sun and the moon are more often than not present together in the sky.
