It is likely bright because of a combination of the Moon, atmospheric conditions, and local lighting. Without your exact location and weather, only the main possibilities can be listed.
Common natural reasons
- A nearly full or full Moon can make the entire sky and ground look surprisingly bright, especially if your eyes are dark‑adapted.
- Thin clouds or haze can scatter and spread moonlight, creating a glowing, evenly lit sky instead of a dark one.
Weather and ground conditions
- If there is fresh snow or very light‑colored ground, it reflects a lot of light back up, making everything look much brighter than usual.
- Low clouds plus moisture or ice crystals act like a reflective ceiling, bouncing city light or moonlight back down.
Human-made light
- In and near cities, streetlights, building lights, and signs shine upward and sideways; when there are low clouds or haze, this “skyglow” makes the whole sky look bright.
- Even if it seems like there is no single strong light source, the combined glow from many small sources can make the night feel almost like twilight.
If you say whether you see the Moon, clouds, or snow, a more specific explanation can be given.
