Light Sources: The Star Tower at Night

It is a clear night at the Star Tower! Professor Luna Moon has hung glowing lanterns along the balcony and lit candles on her table, while a big round Moon shines in the sky.

Remember: A light source makes its own light: the Sun, other stars, a lamp, a candle flame, a firefly. The Moon is not a light source: it shines because sunlight bounces off it. We see things when light bounces off them into our eyes, so with no light at all, we see nothing.

Magic trick: Ask: “Would it still glow in a dark cupboard?” A lamp would (once it is switched on). A mirror, a spoon or the Moon would not: they only bounce light.