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Credit & Copyright: Laurent Laveder  
(PhotoAstronomique.net)  
  
  
Explanation:
July's Full Moon  
looks strangely darkened and distorted in  
this remarkable  
telescopic view.  
  
The image is one of  
a  
series recorded when the Moon was very near  
the horizon.  
  
The long sight-line through a turbulent atmosphere  
gives rise to the tantalizing optical effects,  
including the thin "mirage" shape that seems to  
float just above the Moon's upper edge.  
  
Also seen (more easily in the inset),  
along the Moon's upper edge is a noticeable  
green rim.  
  
Substantial atmospheric refraction produces this  
prism-like effect -- related to the  
more commonly witnessed  
green flash of the setting Sun.  
  
Careful inspection of the full image reveals a corresponding red  
rim along the lower edge, another intriguing signature of  
atmospheric  
refraction.  
  
   
News: Beware the Mars Hoax
  
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: full moon - green flash - refraction
Publications with words: full moon - green flash - refraction
See also:

