Luz de la luna vs. claro de la luna
The Spanish language, like many languages, has multiple words for similar concepts depending on the context and the region where they are used. This can be observed in the words 'luz de la luna' and 'claro de la luna', which both translate as 'moonlight' in English but have distinct connotations and usage in Spanish.
Luz de la luna
This phrase directly translates to 'light of the moon'. It describes the light emitted by the moon. It is more straightforward and can be used in a variety of contexts, from scientific to poetic.
La luz de la luna ilumina el camino en la noche.
(The moonlight illuminates the path at night.)
Me gusta caminar bajo la luz de la luna.
(I like walking under the moon's light.)
Claro de la luna
This phrase directly translates to 'clear of the moon'. Although it can also mean 'moonlight', it is more often used in poetry or literature. Its connotation refers to a clear, bright night with a visible moon lending its light to the surroundings.
El bosque estaba iluminado por el claro de la luna.
(The forest was lit up by the clear moonlight.)
Esa noche, en el claro de la luna, todo parecía mágico.
(That night, under the clear moonlight, everything seemed magical.)
Summary
'Luz de la luna' and 'claro de la luna' both refer to moonlight and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. However, 'claro de la luna' tends to have a more poetic or literary connotation and often describes perfectly lit nights with clear skies.