"lunar terminator"

#10933881

23 January 2024

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Image was captured through a telescope using ''lucky imaging''. This astrophotography technique captures short-exposure frames or videos, extracting and combining the best frames with specialized software for a sharper, detailed final image during stable atmospheric conditions.) Golden Handle phenomenon on the moon is seen through a telescope from L'Aquila, Italy, on January 21st, 2024. The Golden Handle refers to a captivating visual phenomenon occurring at the lunar terminator. Roughly 10 to 11 days after the new moon, the valley of the Rainbow Bay, also known as Sinus Iridum, remains in shadow, while the mountain peaks of the nearby Montes Jura are already bathed in sunlight, thanks to their impressive height of up to 2700 meters. This formation, resembling a handle and illuminated by the Moon's yellowish light, has been dubbed the ''Golden Handle'' due to its distinctive shape and color. The Golden Handle is a transient spectacle, visible only once a month for a few hours. It can be observed using binoculars and captured by cameras equipped with telephoto lenses.

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