Is it a reflection of rays from the sun?
2007-11-25 12:39:11 · 11 answers · asked by Mr. Nobody 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The Moon (and the planets we can see) reflect the light from the Sun. The Moon reflects only 12% of the light it gets from the Sun (it is dark grey).
Near New Moon, when the Moon is barely a thin crescent (the part lit by the Sun), there is enough sunlight reflected by Earth that the 'unlit' part can be seen (when seen in the evening a few days after New Moon, it is called: the old Moon in the arms of the New Moon). The feeble light in the darker area is called earthshine.
Not to be confused with 'moonshine' which is home-made alcohol.
2007-11-25 15:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the light is the reflection from the Sun. Also at times it can even be the reflection of light from the Earth. Actually a double reflection since the light came from the Sun first.
2007-11-25 12:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by rscanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone answers are correct.
Moonlight is referred to as albedo which for the moon is about 10% or 10% of the incoming sunlight is rellected in a given direction. THe balance is absorbed and reflected away in a diffuse pattern.
During a lunar eclipse the Earth blocks the sunlight thus proving that the Sun is the source of moonlight.
Further, during a new moon it is barely visible since the sun is behind the moon as observed from Earth.
2007-11-25 13:10:06 · answer #3 · answered by vpi61 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Moon reflects the sun's light, but not very well. The Earth is far more reflective as is Venus with it's very thick cloud cover.
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It's the rough parts of the Moon that are the most reflective. The "seas" or smooth parts are less reflective and appear dark causing the "man in the moon" feature.
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2007-11-25 12:59:38 · answer #4 · answered by ericbryce2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The moon shines only by reflected sunlight.
But because its relatively large in the night sky, and bright compared to everything else in the sky, and very bright for dark-adapted eyes, it appears to have rays coming off its disk. These rays are due to imperfections and reactions within the eye to the bright light.
2007-11-25 12:46:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
thats exactly right. the color white reflects light and the moon is a giant white sphere orbiting earth. so most of the light that hits it from the sun get reflected.
2007-11-25 12:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right. All light from the moon is nothing more than reflected sunlight.
2007-11-25 13:17:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Switch off the lights, everything you see (except the stars) are lit by the sun - not just the moon and the planets, but you me and the kitchen sink.
2007-11-25 14:46:18 · answer #8 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, all the bodies in our solar system just reflect light (Jupiter and Saturn are exceptions as they do in fact radiate more energy than they receive from the sun)
2007-11-25 12:51:35 · answer #9 · answered by The Lazy Astronomer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is merely reflected sunlight.
2007-11-25 12:46:34 · answer #10 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋