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The Moon is a non-luminous object - Junior Cycle Science - Question (iv) - 2017
Question (iv)
The Moon is a non-luminous object. Explain how it is often visible at night.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The Moon is a non-luminous object - Junior Cycle Science - Question (iv) - 2017
Step 1
Reflects light from the sun
Answer
The Moon itself does not generate its own light, as it is a non-luminous object. Instead, it is visible at night primarily because it reflects sunlight. The surface of the Moon, composed of various materials, reflects the sunlight that strikes it.
When the Sun illuminates the Moon, light is reflected towards Earth, allowing us to see the Moon in the night sky. The brightness of the Moon can vary based on its phase, as different portions of its surface are lit up by the Sun at different times, leading to varying levels of visibility.