Earthshine

Spotted this fine sight tonight on leaving work. Often it doesn't hang around for long during this phase but fortunately it was still on show when I got home, so hey presto....

The definition of Earthshine is given below and it isn't often as bright as this.

There is something about the moon that draws me to photograph it whenever I can despite having done it before, don't know why. This phase is the most difficult as it is very difficult to get the bright bit perfect while still capture the earthshine just because of the difference in brightness level. I've never managed to do it justice before but its good to see when you Google image it, everyone else has the same problem.

Definition -
Earthshine is reflected earthlight visible on the Moon's night side. It is also known as the Moon's ashen glow or as the old Moon in the new Moon's arms.


Leonardo da Vinci's sketch of crescent Moon with earthshine as part of his Codex Leicester, written between 1506 and 1510.
Earthshine is most readily observable shortly before and after a New Moon, during the waxing or waning crescent phase. When the Moon is new as viewed from Earth, the Earth is nearly fully lit up as viewed from the Moon. Sunlight is reflected from the Earth to the night side of the Moon. The night side appears to glow faintly and the entire orb of the Moon is dimly visible.