uhm the moon

[hegedus]

i want to know what it is that is shining on the moon at night on the part that u can see of it like the white/grey looking part. liek if i t was full, what makes it look full, is the sun shiing on it and when its not full what lets us the 1/4 part or whatever? could i get an answer please?

 

[vogon13]

What I think you are refering to is eathshine.<br /><br />The moon reflects sunlight towards earth, and earth can reflect sunlight towards the moon.<br /><br />When the moon is between the earth and sun, the effect is particularly strong and I think that is what you are describing.<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[harmonicaman]

I agree with member <b>Vogon,</b> the moon is illuminated by the brightness of the Sunshine striking the Earth.<br /><br />Another factor that is at work here, but to a much lesser degree, is your brain. It "Knows" the moon is a sphere and tries to complete the circle in your mind -- even though it is very difficult to "See" the area that isn't in direct sunlight.

 

[telfrow]

Earthshine. hegedus, is this what you're talking about? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <strong><font color="#3366ff">Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yeild.</font> - <font color="#3366ff"><em>Tennyson</em></font></strong> </div>

 

[Saiph]

the bright portion of the moon is sunlight, just as you guessed.<br /><br />The reason why part of it looks dark, is only 1/2 of the moon is illuminated by the sun at any time, just like if you use a flashlight to shine light on a basketball, only half of the basketball will be bright. The half facing away from the basketball, will be darker.<br /><br />Now, the earth also get's hit by sunlight, and reflects quite a bit away. Some of this reflected light hits the moon illuminating the portion facing the earth just a bit (even if direct sunlight isn't hitting it).<br /><br />To really help see what's going on with the phases of the moon get a friend to help you.<br /><br />Get a basketball (or baloon, or a tennis ball, or something round) and a flashlight. Have your friend hold the flashlight, and keep it aimed at the ball. Now, the sun doesn't aim light of course, but if we use anything brighter, there will be so many reflections around the room it'll be hard to see any difference in brightness.<br /><br />With the ball held out at arms length, look straight at it, and slowly spin around. You'll notice all the phases of the moon from new, to quarter, to full. You may even get an eclipse if the shadow of your head falls on the ball, to see full you may need to lift the tennis ball up above your head a bit, so that the flashlight can get to it. This is <i>also</i> realistic, as the moon's orbit is tilted ~5 degrees to the earths, so it is often just above or below the earth, when compared to the sun view.<br /><br />Then, I'd say switch with your friend, so they can see it from earth's perspective, and you can see it from the sun's. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector.  Goes "bing" when there's stuff.  It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually.  I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[neptune501]

I agree

 

[nexium]

Likely you got the answers you were looking for, but most of the Moon's surface reflects sun light poorly, so a highly reflective spot on the moon would look much brighter. Neil

 

[newtonian]

Note - too much moonshine can be a problem.<br /><br />Sorry - I couldn't resist!