Do you know why the moon is visible during the day?
Miscellaneous / / April 06, 2023
The natural satellite of the Earth can be admired more often than you think.
The moon is usually called the night luminary, because it is associated specifically with the dark time of the day. But you can bet that you have seen her more than once during the day! Ever wondered why this is possible?
In general, people who are not particularly versed in the structure of our planetary system believe that the Moon in the sky opposes the Sun. During the day, our star is visible, but not the satellite, at night - the satellite, but not the star. Something like this. But this is another myth.
Moon phases. Video: Wikimedia Commons
Actually the moon located exactly opposite the Sun only once a month - on the full moon. At this time, you will not see it in the daytime sky. In addition, it is also impossible to see it on the new moon, since, on the contrary, it is too close to the Sun, and even facing us with its unlit side. But in other phases - please.
The window for observing the Moon in daylight is approximately 6 hours per day, 25 days per month. It is best seen in the first and last quarter.
If there were no atmosphere on Earth, the Moon could be observed for 12 hours every day all the time. But particles of nitrogen and oxygen in the air scatter short wavelength sunlight i.e. blue and violet. It gives the sky blue color and complicates the observation of space bodies.
Wherever you look, everywhere we will observe sunlight scattered in the atmosphere - it literally outshines the radiation from other objects. Therefore, we cannot see the stars and other planets during the day.
The Moon is an exception, since it is very close to us, and the light of the Sun reflected by it is bright enough to overcome even the illuminated daytime atmosphere. Therefore, it can consider naked eye, although it will be much paler than at night.
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Text worked on: author Dmitry Sazhko, editor Natalya Murakhtanova, proofreader Elena Gritsun