Hobbies And Interests
Features
According to NASA, the moon is located 238,855 miles from earth. At approximately a quarter of the earth's diameter, the moon measures 2,140 miles. According to Astronomical Society.org, "The moon is the only thing in the sky (other than the Sun) that doesn't look like just a pinpoint of light or an indistinct fuzzy patch as seen with the unaided eye."
Explanation
Possessing a highly reflective surface, the moon resembles a massive mirror. During daylight, the sun's rays bounce off the moon down to earth. According to NASA's Ask an Astrophysicist, "When you look at the moon, you are seeing the light that reflects off it. This is not nearly as bright as the Sun, but it is up to 100,000 times as bright as the brightest nighttime star." During the day, stars emit too little light to be distinguished from the brightness of the sky. Large enough to reflect more light than its background, the moon becomes visible.
Moon Phases
Although both celestial objects constantly move, the same side of the moon always faces earth. The portion of that side visible to earth varies in a cycle known as the moon's phases. Key stages are first quarter, waxing crescent, new moon, waning crescent, third quarter, waning gibbous, full moon and waxing gibbous. In waxing stages, the moon appears to grow in size, and in waning stages, the reverse occurs.
Considerations
Weather affects daytime sightings. According to Whyzz.com, "Sometimes you might not see the moon during the day, but this usually depends on clouds that are in the way or what phase the moon is in. When it's in certain phases, the moon can occasionally be harder to spot during the day even though it's still there."
Optimal Viewing Times
Scan the sky for the moon in daylight during specific lunar phases. According to Astronomical Society.com, "During first quarter and waxing gibbous phases, the Moon is quite easily seen in the blue eastern sky on a clear afternoon." It's also easy to spot in the western sky on clear mornings at waning gibbous and last-quarter phases.
Misconceptions
The moon reflects the sun's light; it emits no light of its own.