why does moon give off light

[ayresy81]

this may sound like a stupid qeustion but why does the moon light up so much i was looking at it tonight and it was so bright.i cant understand where the light comes from

[ljdksa]

Not an expert! But thought it was reflected from the sun?

[boxtops]

It doesn't give off any light itself, it's the reflection of the sun shining on it - brilliant big full moon tonight.

[NazNomad]

The light is from the Sun. Lots of Mica and Silica in the dust on the Moon makes it refelctive.

[crisper]

Is it the suns reflection? Fab moon tonight isn't it... went to the seaside today, and on the way home over the hills the moon looked stunning... didn't get an ice cream though.. all the ice cream shops are shut..too cold... major sulk in the car on the way home!! lol crispers other half! xx

[DTCwordfan]

just like if you saw the SpaceStation pass over recently - which was amazing. Again the reason we could see it was the refelction of the sunlight (at the right angle to us, before the sun went down over the horizon)

[Answerprancer]

It *is* lit up by the sun and its reflective coefficient (albedo) is 0.39
Here's a song to confirm it :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL1oU6fH25w

[NazNomad]

Almost believable Doc, but we now know they never went to the Moon ;-)

[ChuckFickens]

So what do they teach people in primary schools these days?

[Mick-Talbot]

I'm confused..........what sort of cheese reflects light?

[Answerprancer]

..actually, that was the albedo for earth, the moon's albedo is 0.12

[NazNomad]

"So what do they teach people in primary schools these days?"

Facebook, Twitter and X-Box.

[crisper]

Apperantly CF...lol... my 5 yr old neice tells me they were all talking about farting in school..am I allowed to say that word?? .. lol but I think it was her friends not the teacher.. but I'm not sure!! :)

[NazNomad]

"... am I allowed to say that word?"

If the word-filter let it through, then fart all you want. lol

[boxtops]

OK crisper, it's the lit farts of the Soupdragon that makes the light on the moon....

[crisper]

Well Boxtops lol... the soupdragon..and baby Clanger I think! lol

[whiskeryron]

Are you serious Naz that the moon landings are fakes & can you show proof. Ron.

[DTCwordfan]

just shows that all they teach in primary schools can be classified as hot wind! crisper

(just joking re the teacher onslaught!)