#earthlight

[tilbageidanmark]

Rendezvous With Rama, 1973

[marlynnofmany]

UnMoonlight

I drew myself up formally on the shifting sand. “What do you require in trade for this most precious treasure?” I asked.

The pointy-eared creature before me gazed back thoughtfully. A warm breeze tossed his flowing hair while he struck his own pose: regal, barely leaving footprints on the sand.

After a long moment, he presented his answer. “Find for me,” he said with catlike smugness, “A light brighter than moonlight, which is not sunlight. If you can accomplish this task without leaving the beach, you shall have the treasure. If not, it is forever lost to you. You have five minutes.”

I shook my finger at him. I felt a grin spread on my own face. “I only need five seconds.” Then I dashed for the pile of belongings.

He was asking questions behind me, incredulous that I had brought a light source here of all places, but I didn’t answer. Instead I yanked the beach umbrella out of the sand and carried into the waves.

“What are—”

“Earthlight!” I declared. With the umbrella over my head, I stood completely shaded from the sun, but lit by reflections from the sea. “The Earth reflects more light than the moon does, thanks to all the water! Pay up!”

If you’ve never seen an elf stare in goggle-eyed surprise, I recommend it. His expression was glorious. Then he followed it up with one of grudging respect that tried to be a frown and a smile at the same time. “Scientists,” he said with a shake of his head. “You humans and your thrice-bedamned scientists.”

“Science nothing, I got that from an internet meme,” I told him, splashing proudly ashore. Thrusting the umbrella toward him, I held out my other hand. “Gimme.”

“Fine,” he said with an over-dramatic eye roll that just made me grin wider. True to his word, he handed over the last ice cream bar in exchange for the umbrella.

“Ah, a treasure fairly won,” I declared. I unwrapped it and took a bite. “That is the best flavor.”

“I hope you get brain freeze,” the elf told me as he returned the umbrella to its place in the sand.

“Even if I do,” I said, “I know a sciency solution to that too.”

His long-suffering expression made me burst into giggles and almost drop my ice cream bar. Almost.

Thanks for the idea, @flashfictionfridayofficial​!

[blasteffect]

“A Moon Dressed Like Saturn”

Image Credit & Copyright: Francisco Sojuel

[alanfriedman]

Sunshine + Earthshine + chestnut tree

[tranceberry]

The Moon captured 1994 by the Clementine1 spacecraft, illuminated solely by the earthlight (sunlight reflected from the Earth). The bright glow is caused by the solar corona, as it is visible from earth during a solar eclipse. Above the Venus.

[humanoidhistory]

Cover art for Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke, 1955.

[cwantwm]

Feeling pretty dark today. I'm having seriously vivid dreams since quitting cannabis, I'm learning more about myself through my subconscious reality but it's not always as positive as it seems, I've found that I've been hiding a lot of emotions and thoughts from myself.. I'm just glad I no longer feel the need to use weed as a blanket for my fears... I'm facing them head on, this is a huge step for me 👣🖤

[retroscifiart]

Steve R Dodd ‘Earthlight’, circa 1980s