The moon does not reflect the light of the sun. How could such an obvious falsehood be cemented into our science and educational institutions?

The statement that "the moon does not reflect the light of the sun" is inaccurate. In fact, the moon does reflect sunlight, and this is a well-established scientific fact.

The moon's surface lacks its own inherent source of light, like the sun. Instead, the moon reflects sunlight that falls onto its surface. This reflected sunlight is what makes the moon visible to observers on Earth. This phenomenon is why the moon appears bright and illuminated in the night sky.

The idea that the moon reflects sunlight is not a falsehood but a fundamental principle of astronomy supported by empirical evidence and observations. It has been verified through centuries of scientific inquiry, astronomical observations, and space exploration.

It's possible that misconceptions or misunderstandings about the nature of the moon's illumination could arise due to lack of education or misinformation. However, in established scientific and educational institutions, such inaccuracies would typically be corrected through rigorous scientific inquiry, peer review, and the dissemination of accurate information.

Inaccurate statements or misconceptions may persist in some contexts due to a variety of factors, including cultural beliefs, pseudoscientific ideas, or misunderstandings. However, in the realm of mainstream scientific understanding, the fact that the moon reflects sunlight is firmly established and widely accepted.