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QUESTION: Hello Steven.
My sister has just come back from Oman and she said she couldn't see the moon in the night sky whilst there. She said she was told the reason for this but can't remember it. So why can't you see the moon from Oman ?
Thanks
ANSWER: Mark.
It actually depends on the dates she was there. Regardless of where you are, Oman, France, New York, wherever, it depends on the phase of the Moon.
Sometimes it is only visible in the morning, sometimes during the day, sometimes at night, and for about two days every month, not visible at all.
If you tell me what days she was there and looking for it, I can narrow it down to exactly why she couldn't see it.
Steve
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks. She was there for a week about 23 to 29 October. She also said there were very few stars to be seen in a perfectly clear night sky.
As far as the Stars, maybe there was too much "light Pollution".
But the Moon is easy to figure.
On October23rd, we had a Waning Crescent Moon, which means that it would rise Around 2:00 in the morning and set at around 3:00 in the afternoon.
By the time we get to the 29th, we have a New Moon, which cannot be seen from the Earth.
Steve
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| Comment | Thanks. I didn't realize the moon is at times not visible from certain places on Earth. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Steven LJ Russo
Expertise
As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.
Experience
Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.
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