* No internal light source: Unlike the sun or stars, the moon doesn't generate its own light. It's a large, rocky body with no internal processes that produce light.
* Reflecting sunlight: We see the moon because sunlight bounces off its surface. The moon's surface is covered in a fine, dusty material called regolith, which reflects light well.
* Moon phases: The amount of sunlight reflected towards Earth changes depending on the moon's position relative to the sun and Earth. This creates the different phases of the moon, from a full moon (reflecting the most sunlight) to a new moon (reflecting no sunlight).
* The "dark side" is still lit: Even though we call one side of the moon the "dark side," it's not always dark. Both sides of the moon receive sunlight, just at different times.
So, the moon appears dark because it doesn't produce its own light and only reflects sunlight.
