Credit & Copyright: Laurent Laveder
(PhotoAstronomique.net)
Explanation:
July's Full Moon
looks strangely darkened and distorted in
this remarkable
telescopic view.
The image is one of
a
series recorded when the Moon was very near
the horizon.
The long sight-line through a turbulent atmosphere
gives rise to the tantalizing optical effects,
including the thin "mirage" shape that seems to
float just above the Moon's upper edge.
Also seen (more easily in the inset),
along the Moon's upper edge is a noticeable
green rim.
Substantial atmospheric refraction produces this
prism-like effect -- related to the
more commonly witnessed
green flash of the setting Sun.
Careful inspection of the full image reveals a corresponding red
rim along the lower edge, another intriguing signature of
atmospheric
refraction.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: full moon - green flash - refraction
Publications with words: full moon - green flash - refraction
See also: