26% Waxing Crescent Moon with Earthshine (HDR)

This HDR (High Dynamic Range) image captures the Moon at 26% illumination in its waxing crescent phase, with the addition of earthshine revealing the unlit portion of the lunar surface. The image was taken on March 4, 2025, using a ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera and Askar FRA500 telescope.

Note: This image is presented with a 180 ° rotation from the standard astronomical orientation. To view with the conventional north-at-top orientation, rotate your display 180 degrees, or use your imagination.

Notable Features

The waxing crescent phase shows distinct shadows along the terminator (the line between light and dark), highlighting the three-dimensional nature of the lunar surface. The HDR processing reveals both the bright illuminated crescent and the earthshine-lit dark portion.

Earthshine, also known as “the old Moon in the new Moon's arms,” occurs when sunlight reflects off Earth's surface onto the Moon's night side. This gentle illumination allows us to see features on the unlit portion that would otherwise be invisible.

In the earthshine-lit portion, the outlines of major maria (lunar seas) can be faintly discerned, including Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms) and Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains).

Technical Information

This image represents an HDR blend of two exposures: one optimized for the bright crescent and another for the earthshine-lit portion. This technique allows for capturing the extreme brightness range between the sunlit and earthshine-lit areas of the lunar surface.

Processing Details

The image was captured as individual photos at the full resolution of the ASI2600MM camera. Two frames with different exposure settings were selected to capture both the bright crescent and the dimmer earthshine. These frames were then blended in Adobe Photoshop to create an HDR composite.