Part of the problem with the OP (I got that “dark” refers to unobserved [from Earth], not unilluminated) is that none of the Apollo missions flew to the Moon when it was in Full Moon phase (as seen from Earth.)
As Francis Vaughan points out, all lunar landings took place with a low Sun angle at the landing site, which was relatively near the centerline of the Earth-facing hemisphere. The astronauts, and especially the Command Module Pilot, would orbit the Moon many times during their mission, but none of them were in orbit while the Moon was “Full” (as seen from the Earth.)
Of course, there would be a portion (roughly one-half) of the Lunar surface not illuminated either by direct Sunlight or reflected “Earthshine.” That part of the terrain would be illuminated only by starlight. Given the low albedo of lunar soil (about 0.12, about as reflective as asphalt), it would be remarkable if any details could be observed from lunar orbit. I am certain, however, that many largish features (maria, highlands, large craters and such) would be easily seen from the Apollo capsules in orbit.
Taking her meaning of the dark side literally, and not the often confused term for the far side, is fair enough, but a disclaimer would’ve been nice, since most everyone would assume the astronauts would be beyond curious as to what the far side looked like, since the near side is mundane and familiar.
In that I’d simply just ask, "Was the dark side of the moon (not the “dark side”), at its darkest, visible to the Apollo crew by starlight alone?
I WAGed that it was, Francis Vaughn said it certainly should be.
We’d need a quote from an Apollo astronaut for confirmation, but DHMO claims they never orbited during a full moon. Sorry for the confusion/assumption Machine Elf.
Yes, I meant for the parenthetical not to actually be a part of the clarified question, but I did intend the quotes to mean the far side, which is often confused as the “dark side”. Perhaps I should’ve used brackets.
Sometimes I overcomplicate things. :smack: