The Moon isn't dark all the time! This is a common misconception.

Here's why:

* The Moon reflects sunlight: The Moon doesn't produce its own light. We see it because it reflects sunlight.

* Phases of the Moon: The reason we sometimes see a full moon and sometimes only a sliver is because of the way the Sun, Earth, and Moon are positioned relative to each other. The changing angle of sunlight hitting the Moon creates the different phases.

* New Moon: During the "new moon" phase, the Moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth. The side of the Moon facing us is not illuminated by the Sun, so it appears dark.

So, while the Moon can appear dark during the new moon phase, it's definitely not dark all the time!