Tycho Crater's Rays Stand Out on June 30 as Moon's 12% Albedo Contrast Dominates

1 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jun 1

June 30's nearly full moon makes Tycho crater's bright ejecta rays a prime target because the overhead sunlight wipes out most lunar shadows.
That lighting leaves reflectivity as the main visible cue: Tycho's fresh impact debris appears brighter than the older, darker basalt plains around it.
The moon's average albedo is only about 0.12, or 12%, so the stark white streaks stand out mainly through contrast rather than overall brightness.
The effect turns a shadow-poor full-moon view into an albedo study, highlighting Tycho's relatively recent impact against the weathered lunar surface.

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