Why Does the Moon Shine?

Universe Today publisher Fraser Cain explains, through the help of some other experts, just how the Moon is able to shine in the night sky. The Moon is made up mostly of igneous rock, like that near a volcano, which is a very poor reflective surface. The Moon only reflects about 12% of the light that hits it. And, depending on the Moon’s place in its orbit, that number can be significantly smaller. Plus, the Moon’s orbit is not perfectly circular, which also effects the Moon’s brightness.