What Is the Darkest Time of Night?

Of course, other factors must be taken into consideration as well, including moon phase and position. A full moon at extreme perigee, which is the closest orbital distance to the Earth, will naturally be brighter than a new moon, or a moon at extreme apogee, which is the furthest orbital distance from the Earth.

The idea that night is darkest just before dawn is, false. It comes from a well-known quote by the theologian Thomas Fuller (1608-1661): 'It is always darkest just before the day dawneth.' This quote is also often wrongly attributed to the Bible.