The Moon isn't actually bright on its own. It shines because it reflects sunlight.

Here's how it works:

* Sunlight: The Sun is a giant ball of burning gas that emits light.

* Moon's Surface: The Moon's surface is covered in dust and rocks, which are very good at reflecting light.

* Reflection: When sunlight hits the Moon's surface, it bounces back towards Earth, making the Moon appear bright.

The amount of light we see from the Moon depends on how much of its surface is illuminated by the Sun. This is why we see different phases of the Moon, from a thin crescent to a full, bright disk.