Earthshine and Conjunction of the Moon and Venus

Photographer: Philippe Moussette
Summary Authors: Philippe Moussette; Jim Foster

Featured above is the attention-getting conjunction of the waning crescent Moon and Venus as observed from Cap-Rouge, Quebec, Canada during the pre-dawn hours of October 10, 2023. They were but 7-degrees apart -- less than the size of your fist when held at arm's length. Note that the bright star between the Moon and Venus is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.

Earthshine (the unlit part of the Moon or the dim portion of the lunar disk) was particularly conspicuous on this crisp, autumn morning. You can think of this ashen light as sunlight that comes indirectly from the Sun; it's first reflected from the Earth then to the Moon and then back to our eyes.

Photo Details: Canon R3 camera; RF 100 lens; 300 mm; f2.8; 1/30 second exposure; ISO 6400.

Cap-Rouge, Quebec, Canada Coordinates: 46.7626727,-71.3697096

Related Links:

Crescent Moon, Venus and Twilight Sky

Club d'astronomie VÉGA de Cap-Rouge