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Question
i am writing a fantasy novel about a small planet where it is always nightime. its only source of light is a brilliant, shining moon. i know that lunar illumination is only a reflection of sunlight, in an effort to work this out, i am trying to find a way to explain that the location of the sun itself is in such a position that its light can only reach the planet indirectly. is this remotely possible from a hypothetical standpoint?
Hello.
Unfortunately, the scenario that you propose isn't really physically plausible. (Light only reaching the planet indirectly from a Moon).
It might work (partially) if the planet was in a synchronous rotation -revolution, such that the time for its 'day' equalled its night. In which case one side was always away from its Sun. But then, the problem is the other side would always be toward it, and therefore in daylight - which you don't want.
It appears to me that you may have to look for another angle or concept, since this one clearly won't work in the way you want it to!
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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