Unraveling the Cosmic Mystery: Why We Can See the Moon During the Day with Jasmine and Chrissy on The Sound of Science.

Jasmine and Chrissy from NIU STEAM discussed the wonders of the universe on The Sound of Science on WNIJ. A young listener named Vera, just six years old, asked a question about why we can see the Moon during the day.

Jasmine explained that while we typically associate the Moon with nighttime, it is actually visible during the day as well. She elaborated on how Earth’s rotation on its axis and orbit around the Sun cause day and night hours. The Moon, being a natural satellite of Earth, orbits our planet every 27-29 days, reflecting sunlight that allows us to see different phases of the Moon as it moves in relation to Earth’s shadow.

Chrissy added that while the Moon’s position in the sky changes as it orbits Earth, similar to how the Sun rises and sets, it sets 50 minutes later each night as it goes through its phases. The closeness of the Moon to Earth compared to other celestial objects is what makes it visible during the day, especially when it is full and aligned with the Sun.

Jasmine and Chrissy thanked Vera for her question and encouraged listeners to tune in to The Sound of Science on WNIJ for more fascinating insights into science every day.