Contains:  Solar system body or event
Earthshine, Gabriel R. Santos (grsotnas)

Earthshine

Earthshine, Gabriel R. Santos (grsotnas)

Earthshine

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Description

A simple image of our planet's Moon, right before it gets below the Western Horizon, being at the time visible the beautiful earthshine. You have probably seen it many many times.

Indeed, when the moon is waxing or waning crescent, its "dark" region, that being the region not directly lit by sunlight, can be dimly seen with a pale glow. This phenomenom is earthshine, and it is, simply put, caused by sunlight initially reflected by Earth that illuminates the Moon. The quantitative measurement of this glow can be used for meteorological studies on Earth, as atmospheric features change Earth's albedo, thus changing the earthshine's brightness, for instance.

Next time you have the opportunity in a clear night, do not forget to check this beautiful sight!

*Please check the full image 1800px - resized from original)*

Constructive criticism, comments and suggestions are more than welcome in the comments section. Thank's for taking your time to look at this image.

Taken from Rural Skies (Bortle 3-4; NELM ~6.2; SQM ~21.5*calculated), from Cristina, MG, Brazil (22ºS latitude).

Date and Time: May 27th, 2017, at 18:14h (UTC-3, start of capture)

Camera: Unmodded Canon T4i/650D, at ISO 100

Lens: Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8, operated at 200mm f/3.5

Mount: Sky-Watcher HEQ5, tracking

Exposure Detail: 2s exposure

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Earthshine, Gabriel R. Santos (grsotnas)