Earthshine

About This Photograph

This image was taken on 4 September 2002, about two and a half days before the new moon. It is a dramatic example of the phenomenon known as "Earthshine." Just a thin sliver of the moon at the bottom of the image is illuminated directly by the sun. The rest of the moon is seen indirectly, lit up by light reflected off of the Earth. In order to capture the detail of the very faint Earthshine portion of the moon, it was necessary to completely overexpose the sunlit part, leading to the bright glare at the bottom of the image.

The small dot to the right of the moon is an 8th-magnitude star (SAO 80284). You can also just barely make out two 10th-magnitude stars at the bottom-center of the glare.

Here are two other images that were taken on the same morning:

Jupiter, the Moon and some Bees

The Moon and Jupiter over Austin, Texas