Why the Moon Shines During the Day: Insights from STEAM Educators Jasmine and Chrissy on WNIJ’s The Sound of Science

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

The discussion began with Chrissy explaining that while most pictures show the Moon at night, there are times when it is visible during the day. She and Jasmine discussed how the Earth’s rotation on its axis causes day and night, and how the Moon’s orbit around the Earth affects its visibility.

Jasmine elaborated on how the Moon acts as a natural satellite that reflects the Sun’s light. As the Moon 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