Two Men Contemplating the Moon

In this painting by Caspar David Friedrich, there are two men resting at the top of what appears to be a hill, looking up at the moon. Based on the title, it is clear these two are contemplating the moon, but what of it? Why it appears so bright? What significance it has? The two men in the painting appear to be friends by the way one of them has his arm around the other, and based on their stance, they do not appear to be afraid of their location despite how ominous the trees may seem. It seems as though Friedrich painted to moon in a warmer shade than what it would normally be, and perhaps that is why there is attention being drawn to it. The men could be staring in awe at its orange hue. The man on the left appears to be leaning on the other, marveling at the moon’s beauty.