The "dark" part of a crescent moon.... why is it sometimes brighter than at other times?

3 ⤊

The "dark" part of a crescent moon.... why is it sometimes brighter than at other times?

Against the blacker background of space I mean. The darkside "brightness" seems to vary.

2006-10-27 12:48:11 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space

3 answers

The part of the moon that is facing earth and is not directly illuminated by the sun is lightly illuminated by reflected "Earthshine". Depending on the degree of Earth's cloud cover at any given time, the brightness of the Earthsine will vary, since white clouds reflect more light than the oceans and land do.

2006-10-27 13:24:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋

Yup, Earthshine.

2006-10-27 14:57:48 · answer #2 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋

My best guess is that our own atmosphere is hindering us from seeing the darker side on some nights due to our ever changing smog/moisture factor.

2006-10-27 12:55:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋