Skip to content
Pulse
en

Science·Space.com

Why can you see the moon during the day? This week is the perfect time to find out

Friday 16 October17:00 · 2h agoAI summary
Read at source

The moon is often visible during the day, especially around the first quarter phase. This week, the waxing moon is easy to spot in the afternoon sky, making it a great time to observe it before sunset.

01Summary

  1. 01The moon reaches first quarter on Sunday, Oct. 18, and waxes toward full moon on Monday, Oct. 26 (Oct. 25 in some time zones).
  2. 02Around first quarter, the moon rises near midday; as it waxes, it rises later each afternoon.
  3. 03Look southeast in the afternoon from Monday, Oct. 19, for a moon just over half-lit.
  4. 04Binoculars offer a good view of the terminator, where sunlight highlights mountains and craters.
  5. 05The full moon on Oct. 26 will wash out faint stars, but Saturn is well placed for viewing, especially near the moon on Oct. 23-24.

02Why it matters

Understanding when and where to spot the daytime moon helps you appreciate its orbit and phases. This week offers an easy opportunity to observe the moon in daylight and learn about its changing position.

Pulse AI

Answers are generated by AI from the story summary; they are not investment, health or legal advice.

Up next

More from Science

El Niño has killed hundreds of children in Sudan

Severe drought worsened by El Niño has triggered hunger and disease, leading to the deaths of hundreds of children in Sudan.

New Scientist · 1h agoRead story

Related stories