Can everybody on earth see the moon at night or are there nights in which the moon has already gone "under" before nightfall? In other words, is it possible to have a moonless night, not referring to a new moon situation? [Originally #69542 Posted on Aug 10 06 by dutch_frank_65 - Deleted in error.]

Arpeggionist

A total lunar eclipse might do the trick. But during the first days after each new moon there's some days when people just can't see the moon during the night. Usually though, in such cases when there are clear skies, the moon can be seen well enough during the day. Aug 10 06, 7:11 AM

Gnomon

Just as well you deleted this question, as my last answer to it was rubbish! After last quarter, the moon rises after midnight, and sets after midday. As it gets closer to new moon, the rising time gets later after midnight (closer to sunrise) and the setting time gets later in the day, so as the last week of the month's cycle progresses, the moon spends less time up at night and more during the day, so it is harder to see it during the night. At new moon itself, the moon rises and sets with the sun, so not only is its crescent small enough to be invisible, but it is up during the day. After new moon, for the first week, the moon rises just after sunrise, and sets just after sunset, so it is only in the sky at night for a very short time. Aug 10 06, 8:17 AM