If you look at a full moon, even at early (p) or late (d) quarter, you always see shadows on the moon. I wonder how this is possible. Since it is reflected light that we see, how is it possible that there is some kind of shadow and how is this shadow caused? How this shadow is caused will hopefully also be an answer to why this is. Thanks in advance.
Asker: George, 27 years old
Answer
The dark areas on the Moon are not shadows, but simply areas whose reflectivity (the albedo) is smaller. The so-called ‘seas’ are fairly smooth land masses, which reflect less than the more jagged mountain countries.
Answered by
prof. Christopher Waelkens
Astronomy
Catholic University of Leuven
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
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