Yes, I can get behind that, as Super Phat Arrow said. It just doesn't seem to fit. In my limited scope. Also, I can make out the underside of the moon, with the naked eye anyway. That suggests some light is being reflected towards my eye. Where is that coming from if the sphere explanation is correct?
Discussion
That is the light that's reflected from the earth to the moon, it's called eartshine.
Very good observation and even better question!
*earthshine
I feel like this is getting somewhere, thanks. So, at night we are not facing the sun, where is the "earthshine" coming from (in that photo)? Are you saying from other parts of the earth not in shade? Would that mean, at the zenith of night, let's call it midnight, we would not be able to see any reflected "earthshine"?
If the moon was at this zenith position, it would have to be on the exact opposite side of the sun. But then we see the moon as a full moon (the dark side is invisible).
Cheers ears. I can understand that. For everyone else, I am open minded for a different opinion but Chris and others here have a good explanation
This video may help (not to scale):