Chapter 33, Problem 2TE

On the Moon, stars other than the Sun can be seen during the daytime. Why?

To determine

The reason behind the visibility of the stars other than the Sun on the Moon during daytime.

Answer to Problem 2TE

The reason behind the visibility of the stars other than the Sun on the Moon during daytime is the absence of the atmosphere on the Moon.

Explanation of Solution

There are lots of stars present in the universe. But we cannot see those stars in the day time because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters light from the Sun across the sky. This scattering outshines all other stars in the sky. Thus, those stars lay invisible to us in the day time.

On the Moon, there is no atmosphere. So there happens no scattering of light by the atmosphere. As a result, the stars other than the Sun are also visible on the Moon in the daytime.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the reason behind the visibility of the stars other than the Sun on the Moon during daytime is the absence of the atmosphere on the Moon.