Solar Week - Ask a Question

Erin (LM) How come during a total solar eclipse, when we see a black disk the (moon), and the sun's outer atmosphere around it, why don't we see any portion of the moon's surface from earthshine?

Erin -

That's a very interesting question.  During the eclipse, the corona is still

rather bright. The earth reflects about 30% (called its albedo) and then the

moon probably reflects about 30% as well.  So one might expect that 10%

of the light to reflect back, except that the light would be spread over the

entire lunar surface.  That would make it difficult to see with the corona so

much brighter.

- Peter