Unraveling the Moon’s Daytime Visibility: An Explanation for Young Minds from NIU STEAM on WNIJ’s The Sound of Science

Recently, Jasmine and Chrissy from NIU STEAM were featured on WNIJ’s The Sound of Science, where they answered a question from a curious 6-year-old named Vera. Vera was fascinated by the Moon and wanted to know why it can be seen during the day, despite typically being associated with the night sky.

Chrissy and Jasmine provided an interesting explanation for Vera’s question. While most pictures show the Moon at night, there are times when it is visible during the day due to its orbit around the Earth. They discussed how the Earth’s rotation on its axis causes day and night, and how this affects the Moon’s visibility.

Jasmine elaborated on how the Moon acts as a natural satellite that reflects the Sun’s light. As it revolves around the Earth, different phases are visible due to the Earth’s shadow. The Moon’s position relative to the Earth’s rotation causes it to rise and set like the Sun, contributing to its visibility during daytime hours.

Chrissy further explained that the Moon’s proximity to Earth compared to other objects in the night sky allows it to be seen during the day. When it is full and perfectly aligned with