Lunar reflectance

Lunar reflectance refers to how much sunlight the Moon's surface reflects back into space. It depends on the Moon's surface materials and texture; some areas are darker and absorb more light, appearing less bright, while others are lighter and reflect more light. Scientists measure this reflectance to understand the composition and mineralogy of the lunar surface. In technical terms, it's called albedo—a ratio indicating the percentage of light reflected. This property helps us study lunar geography, surface processes, and aids in planning space missions by identifying safe and scientifically interesting landing sites.