Gibbous Moon and Sonoran Desert Landscape
October 18, 2008
Provided and copyright by: Jeffrey Carlson
Summary Author: Jeffrey Carlson, Jim Foster
The photo above shows the waxing gibbous Moon at 88% full as captured over the Rincon Mountains near Tucson, Arizona on September 23, 2007. Cholla and prickly pear cactus, a Palo Verde Tree and lenticular clouds enhance this lovely early evening Sonoran desert scene. Though the Moon appears bright, especially when photographed at night, its surface material is actually rather dark, reflecting only about 8% of sunlight.
Photo details: Canon S2 IS camera, 1/8 shutter speed, F/2.7.