Astronomy Picture of the Day . ... But the rise of the Super Moon was preceded by a Green Flash , captured in the first frame of this timelapse video recorded that night . ... While the Super Moon was enjoyed at locations all around the world, the circumstances that produced the Green Flash were more restrictive. Green flashes for both Sun and Moon are caused by atmospheric refraction enhanced by long, low, sight lines and strong atmospheric temperature gradients often favored by a sea horizon . ...