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How Long Does a Full Moon Last?

-- Tyris | February 17, 2020
The VLA

Question:

I’m writing a film and the moon plays a big part in it. I was wondering if you guys could answer a couple of questions I had. How long does a full moon last and can the times it appears vary? I know you cant see one during the day but can one exist during that time? Can a full moon last over a day?

-- Tyris

Answer:

Technically, the point at which the Moon is “full” lasts only an instant.  To the naked eye, though, the Moon can appear to be full for upwards of three days.  Also, the exact time of full moon can occur at any time of the day, even during the middle of the day, as you can see from the table of full moon times for 2020.

-- Jeff Mangum