Earthshine is a commonly recognised phenomenon, most obvious when moon is a thin crescent. It is caused by reflected light from Earth on the Earth-facing part of the moon experiencing night. Leonardo da Vinci was the first to correctly explain this phenomenon. Earthshine is sufficient to make clearly visible the main lunar features.
Moon setting over Saint-Cloud park, on 01/21/2006. Captured with a CANON EOS300D digital camera equipped with a 400 mm lens.
Earthshine captured in the evening on 08/21/2000 with an EPSON PC3000Z digital camera. Integration time is 8 seconds.
Morning earthshine.
Captured on 05/10/2002 with a CASIO QV4000 digital camera.
Eyepiece projection with MEADE LX10 8" telescope through a
Super Plössl 40mm eyepiece. Integration time is 2 seconds long.
Evening earthshine.
Captured on 04/05/2003 with a CASIO QV4000 digital camera.
Eyepiece projection with MEADE LX10 8" telescope through a
Super Plössl 40mm eyepiece. Integration time is 2 seconds long.