* Planets don't produce their own light: Unlike stars like our sun, planets are not hot enough to generate their own light through nuclear fusion.

* Sunlight is reflected: The light we see from planets is actually sunlight that bounces off their surfaces. The amount of light reflected depends on the planet's composition, surface features, and atmosphere.

Think of it like this:

* A mirror reflects light, but it doesn't create the light itself.

* Planets are like giant mirrors in space, reflecting the sun's light.

This is why planets appear bright in the night sky, even though they don't produce their own light.