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Da Vinci Glow: Earthshine Illuminates the Moon's Dark Side

Original: The Da Vinci Glow, also known as earthshine, occurs when sunlight reflects off Earths surface to illuminate the darkened

Skywatchers are discussing the Da Vinci Glow, or earthshine, a phenomenon in which sunlight reflected from Earth's surface faintly illuminates the darkened portion of the lunar disk. Leonardo da Vinci first explained the effect in the sixteenth century, recognising that our planet acts as a mirror bouncing light onto the Moon, a spectacle best seen near a crescent moon.

Why now: A crescent moon phase is making earthshine visible, prompting renewed interest in the centuries-old phenomenon.

Earththe MoonLeonardo da Vinci

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Evidence

• The Da Vinci Glow, also known as earthshine, occurs when sunlight reflects off Earths surface to illuminate the darkened portion of the lunar disk. This celestial phenomenon was first explained by Leonardo da Vinci in the sixteenth century, identifying that our planet acts as a… · admin@science.social · 1

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