How come all the photos taken from the lunar landings do not show stars in the sky?

Question

we have an atmosphere on earth, so It makes sense that sometimes we can't see stars. But on the moon, as far as I know, there is no atmosphere and no clouds. This leaves me to assume the skies would be so clear into space [from the moon] that you could see more stars than from anywhere on earth. This is not the case though. I'm looking for a logical scientific explanation not a conspiracy theory. thanks.

Answer 1

You can't see stars in photographs because they are too dim. Even though the sky is black in space, it is still broad daylight. The sky is not bright because there is no air for the Sun to light up, but the astronauts, the ground and everything else is as brightly lit as daytime on Earth. Taking a picture that does not overexpose the brightly lit ground and people causes the dim stars to be way, way under exposed. You get the same effect taking a picture at night with artificial light. It is actually quite difficult to photograph the stars, even on a clear dark night. Try it some time. You will need the longest exposure time the camera can do, and if you accidentally get some artificially lit things in the picture, they will be overexposed bright white blobs.

Answer 2

let me ask you this... when you take a picture of your friend at night with the sky in the background do you see stars? the answer is no because the amountof light coming from the stars is so miniscule that the camera shutter would have to be open for a very long time in order to get enough light into the film and create an image. i'm assuming since the pictures of the lunar lander are taken on the bright side of the moon (direct expoure to the sun) the shutter is only open for a split second (not enough time to capture enough light from te stars to make an image)

Answer 3

The stars don't show because that is the way photography works - it shows only the brightest things, and less bright things just don't register. If you were to enhance the pictures by ramping up the contrast and brightness, you should see the stars, but of course the other things in the picture would no longer be clear.

Answer 4

Because the bright light from the camera made the stars disappear in the picture.

Answer 5

stars are too bright for the photography.. stars are like the sun because the sun is a star, shining so bright..

Answer 6

dont listen to him^^^ he works for the gov.(just look at his avatar) And it is a conspiracy