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The only time no portion of the moon that we can see from Earth is illuminated by sunlight is when the earth is in between the moon and the sun - this is called a new moon and the moon is not visible in the sky. However, viewed from out in space, some part of the moon is always lit by the sun except during a total lunar eclipse (and even then, it's illuminated dimly by sunlight refracted through Earth's atmosphere).

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Q: When is the only time the moon is not lighted by the sun?
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Why can't you see a lighted moon at one stage in the lunar cycle?

One half of the moon, the side that faces the Sun, is always lighted. But we usually see only part of the lighted side (phases) as the Moon orbits the Earth. When the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun (a new moon) none of the lighted side, facing the Sun, is visible from Earth.


Why is the moon dark at one stage of the lunar cycle?

At the phase known as the "new moon" none of the illuminated half of the Moon is visible from Earth.One half of the moon, the side that faces the Sun, is always lighted. But we usually see only part of the lighted side (phases) as the Moon orbits the Earth. When the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun (a new moon) none of the lighted side, facing the Sun, is visible from Earth.


What would the moon look like if it did not reflect light from the sun?

It would be dark.The only thing that makes the moon lighted up is the sun. Therefore, if the sun did not reflect the light it has, the moon would be dark.


Where does the moon gets its light from?

The Moon does not have light of its own. The light we see from the Moon is the light of the Sun reflected toward Earth.When you see the phases of the Moon, you are only seeing part of the Moon's lighted surface, because at any time exactly half of its surface is facing the Sun, and receiving light from it. With a telescope you can dimly see the part that is not lighted, because some light from Earth is likewise being reflected to the Moon.Reflected sunlight


Why does the Moon cycle from New Moon to Full Moon?

The Phases of the Moon are caused by the amount of lighted Moon surface that is visible from Earth. That changes in standard cycles of 29.5 days as the Moon circles the Earth and the Earth circles the Sun. Half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun, the same as all the planets and satellites. At different times of the month, different amounts of that lighted surface are visible from Earth. If the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, we see only the dark side. If the Moon has circled to the other side of the Earth, away from the sun, we see the lit side. For instance, at the time of the Crescent Moon, the whole Moon is there, but we are seeing (or not seeing) mostly the unlit side of the Moon. At that time, because of the positions of the Earth, Sun and Moon, only the edge of the lit part is visible from Earth.

Related questions

Why can't you see a lighted moon at one stage in the lunar cycle?

One half of the moon, the side that faces the Sun, is always lighted. But we usually see only part of the lighted side (phases) as the Moon orbits the Earth. When the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun (a new moon) none of the lighted side, facing the Sun, is visible from Earth.


Phase when the lighted side of the moon is facing the sun and the dark side faces the earth?

The lighted half of the moon is always facing the sun. The entire dark half of the moon is facing earth at the time of "New Moon".


Why is the moon dark at one stage of the lunar cycle?

At the phase known as the "new moon" none of the illuminated half of the Moon is visible from Earth.One half of the moon, the side that faces the Sun, is always lighted. But we usually see only part of the lighted side (phases) as the Moon orbits the Earth. When the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun (a new moon) none of the lighted side, facing the Sun, is visible from Earth.


What would the moon look like if it did not reflect light from the sun?

It would be dark.The only thing that makes the moon lighted up is the sun. Therefore, if the sun did not reflect the light it has, the moon would be dark.


Is half the moon lighted up by the sun?

yes half the moon is lit up by the sun


When the lighted part of the moon faces in the direction of the sun the moon is called what?

a full moon


Where does the moon gets its light from?

The Moon does not have light of its own. The light we see from the Moon is the light of the Sun reflected toward Earth.When you see the phases of the Moon, you are only seeing part of the Moon's lighted surface, because at any time exactly half of its surface is facing the Sun, and receiving light from it. With a telescope you can dimly see the part that is not lighted, because some light from Earth is likewise being reflected to the Moon.Reflected sunlight


When at new moon the lighted half of the moon faces away or towards the earth?

the lighted half is facing towards the sun not the earth


What do you call it when the Moon's disk is fully lighted and the Earth is between the sun and the moon?

A full Moon.


Why does the Moon cycle from New Moon to Full Moon?

The Phases of the Moon are caused by the amount of lighted Moon surface that is visible from Earth. That changes in standard cycles of 29.5 days as the Moon circles the Earth and the Earth circles the Sun. Half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun, the same as all the planets and satellites. At different times of the month, different amounts of that lighted surface are visible from Earth. If the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, we see only the dark side. If the Moon has circled to the other side of the Earth, away from the sun, we see the lit side. For instance, at the time of the Crescent Moon, the whole Moon is there, but we are seeing (or not seeing) mostly the unlit side of the Moon. At that time, because of the positions of the Earth, Sun and Moon, only the edge of the lit part is visible from Earth.


When do you see the whole lighted part of the moon?

When the Moon is the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun.


Why does the moon look lighted at times?

The moon is reflecting the light from sun, which makes it look lighted even though it doesn't make it's own light.