The presence or absence of light in space is a complex concept that depends on different factors. Let's break it down:
Light from the Sun: The primary source of light on Earth is the Sun. It emits a tremendous amount of light and other electromagnetic radiation. On Earth, we receive sunlight because our planet is located within the Sun's sphere of influence. The Sun's light reaches Earth through the vacuum of space.
Lack of Atmosphere: In space, beyond the Earth's atmosphere, there is no atmosphere to scatter or reflect sunlight. The absence of scattering and reflection means that when you are in space, in the direct path of sunlight, it may appear dark because there is no medium to make the light visible.
Contrast and Perception: In space, when you are away from the direct sunlight, the surroundings might seem dark because there are no nearby objects to reflect or scatter sunlight towards your eyes. In contrast, on Earth, the atmosphere scatters sunlight in all directions, illuminating the atmosphere itself, objects on the surface, and the sky. This scattering creates an overall diffuse illumination that we perceive as daylight.
However, it's important to note that there are many sources of light in space apart from sunlight. Stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial objects emit light of their own. In fact, space can be filled with light from distant stars and galaxies, but it appears dark to the human eye due to the vastness of space and the limited sensitivity of our eyes to very dim light.
So, while space itself may appear dark when you are away from direct sunlight, there are still numerous sources of light throughout the universe.