It is direction of light source. As stated before, move your light source to the front of the ball.
I am uncertain why you think paths around the Earth, length of cycle, or the equator is relevant.
Simply imagine a line from the sun to the moon in the sky. That is how the light should behave and reflect from the sphere that is the moon.
Did you not review the video in the link? The refection causes a hot spot, as in the above image, and not a crescent, as often occurs. With no interference from the Earths shadow.
The light source is pointed at the ball in a straight line. I don't know what else you want me to do. The sun's light is always on the earth and the moon.
I didn't make this animation, but it shows the relationship between the position of the moon and the moon's cycle. In this animation, the sun is on the left. You will see the earth rotate quickly (24 hour period), while the moon revolves slowly (about 1 month) it's why the moon's reflection is predictable and changes slowly each day.
But that only applies when you are between the sun and moon...which means it must be positioned specifically. It's your perspective that is causing the appearance of the crescent. The moon is full....if you were between it and the sun and looked at the moon straight on....relative to the sun...
But when you have sun to your right, and moon is above your head.....you are not between them...so you cannot see the full lighting.
Technically you would never see a full moon on the same side of the sun...and only can you see both when they are both 180 degrees on the Horizon.
To phrase it differently. What you see....is not what the sun sees.
It is direction of light source. As stated before, move your light source to the front of the ball.
I am uncertain why you think paths around the Earth, length of cycle, or the equator is relevant.
Simply imagine a line from the sun to the moon in the sky. That is how the light should behave and reflect from the sphere that is the moon.
Did you not review the video in the link? The refection causes a hot spot, as in the above image, and not a crescent, as often occurs. With no interference from the Earths shadow.
The light source is pointed at the ball in a straight line. I don't know what else you want me to do. The sun's light is always on the earth and the moon.
I didn't make this animation, but it shows the relationship between the position of the moon and the moon's cycle. In this animation, the sun is on the left. You will see the earth rotate quickly (24 hour period), while the moon revolves slowly (about 1 month) it's why the moon's reflection is predictable and changes slowly each day.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LHD4Pk0D8_g
I am just asking you to observe the moon when you get a chance. And to Question everything.
But that only applies when you are between the sun and moon...which means it must be positioned specifically. It's your perspective that is causing the appearance of the crescent. The moon is full....if you were between it and the sun and looked at the moon straight on....relative to the sun...
But when you have sun to your right, and moon is above your head.....you are not between them...so you cannot see the full lighting.
Technically you would never see a full moon on the same side of the sun...and only can you see both when they are both 180 degrees on the Horizon.
To phrase it differently. What you see....is not what the sun sees.
The sun always sees the full moon.