Why can you see the moon during the day? This week is the perfect time to find out
Stargazers have a prime opportunity this week to observe the moon during daylight hours. Because the moon spends half its time above the horizon while the sun is up, it is clearly visible in the afternoon sky.
Stargazers have a prime opportunity this week to observe the moon during daylight hours. Because the moon spends half its time above the horizon while the sun is up, it is clearly visible in the afternoon sky. The moon reached first quarter on October 18 and is waxing toward a full moon on October 26, according to the schedule.
Around first quarter, the moon rises near midday and climbs higher in the afternoon as it waxes. Observers can spot it by looking toward the southeast in the mid-to-late afternoon. As the sun sinks toward the horizon, the surrounding sky darkens and increases contrast, making the pale moon appear much brighter.
Binoculars will reveal sharp details along the terminator, which is the boundary between the lunar day and night. The bright moon will wash out faint stars this week, but observers can use the near-full moon as a landmark to find Saturn around October 23 and 24.
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Original publication: 16 October 2026 21:30
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