If you could see Gamma Rays, why would the Moon be brighter than the Sun?

Question

The Moon is brighter than the Sun in the gamma ray spectrum, why?

The sun is invisible in the Gamma Ray spectrum, but the moon shines brightly.

Yes, I have a good reference, but it also gives the answer. Check back later for it.

My reference is similar to Dr. D's, only the picture is bigger and the verbage altered somewhat. (Astronomy Picture of the Day guys are getting pretty desparate having to recycle old stuff). My link is:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap060527.html

Answer 1

my guess would be pure by proximity. the sun would be the obvious brightest source of gamma rays. but the moon does reflect a good amount of energy from the sun off of its atmosphere-less surface. i would surmise this means that the reflection of gamma rays seems brighter because it's closer to us.

alas, i'm wrong.

according to NASA stars like the sun don't normally produce largely detectable gamma rays. but our sun does just by proximity. the moon on the other hand produces considerable gamma rays because of how cosmic rays react to it surface...

... like, duh.

Answer 2

I hate quoting from websites with little contribution of my own, but here goes:

Why is the Moon so bright in gamma rays? High energy charged particles from the cosmos, known as cosmic rays, constantly bombard the unprotected lunar surface generating gamma rays. The Sun is shielded from these particles by its magnetic field.

Answer 3

Because the Moon emits gamma rays wheras the Sun doesn't?

Answer 4

Do you have a reference for this? It seems improbable.

There are radioisotopes in the Moon's crust, but there are all kinds of goodies in the Sun, too.

Answer 5

I believe it's because the sun has all colors, and the moon only has white....

not 100% on that one... ;)