Renowned genius Leonardo Da Vinci is known for his artistic masterpieces and pioneering research. But his name is also used to describe the "Da Vinci Glow," an otherworldly phenomenon set to grace our skies in the upcoming week.
MailOnline reported that this ethereal and subtle illumination, visible for seven days surrounding the New Moon on May 19, occurs as sunlight reflects off Earth onto the Moon's surface and subsequently into our eyes, a mystery solved by the esteemed Italian scholar over five centuries ago.
The crescent moon appears above the southern Iraqi city of Basra on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on March 23, 2023.
Earthshine: Mysterious Phenomenon Behind 'Da Vinci Glow'
According to Professor Don Pollacco from the University of Warwick Department of Physics, the enigmatic phenomenon known as Earthshine occurs when the Moon appears as a thin crescent, with the dark part of the Moon faintly shining.
This may seem puzzling since the crescent is illuminated by the sun, but the light from the unilluminated part of the Moon actually comes from Earth, hence the name Earthshine.
While Earthshine is visible for several days before and after each New Moon, it is most prominent during springtime at mid-northern latitudes when the Moon is directly above the Sun during its evening setting.
NASA acknowledges that Leonardo Da Vinci, known for his iconic artworks and inventive ideas, also had an understanding of Earthshine over 500 years ago. His notebooks contained sketches that demonstrated his advanced understanding of this phenomenon.
Although Da Vinci had some misconceptions, such as attributing Earthshine to the reflection of light from Earth's oceans, NASA considers these minor details and praises his overall comprehension of Earthshine.
Therefore, while Da Vinci is commonly associated with his artistic and scientific achievements, his insights into Earthshine serve as a testament to his contributions to the field of astronomy, revealing another aspect of his intellectual prowess beyond his more renowned works.
READ ALSO: 62 New Moons Discovered Orbiting Saturn, Totaling to 145 and Overthrowing Jupiter's Record
How To View This Week's 'Da Vinci Glow'?
As per Almanac.com, the luminous phenomenon known as the 'Da Vinci glow' is alternatively referred to as "moon glow" or "ashen glow." In folklore, it is also described as the "new moon in the old moon's arms" when observing a waning crescent moon or the "old moon in the new moon's arms" during a waxing crescent moon. These poetic descriptions add to the mystique surrounding this captivating lunar illumination.
From May 15 to May 17, per Live Science, viewers can witness the ghostly shine of the Da Vinci glow in the eastern sky during the hour before sunrise. This unique phenomenon occurs when a slim crescent moon is visible near the horizon in the days preceding and following the new moon.
During these specific dates, the illuminated waning crescent moon will showcase varying percentages of brightness: 22% on May 15, 14% on May 16, and 7% on May 17.
Similarly, in the evenings after sunset next weekend, the waxing crescent moon will exhibit its own Da Vinci glow in the western sky, with illumination percentages of 5% on May 21, 10% on May 22, and 17% on May 23, accompanied by the presence of Venus.
To observe the Da Vinci glow, one can use the unaided eye or opt for stargazing binoculars or a small telescope. The best opportunities to witness this phenomenon in 2023 are in the days surrounding the new moon on April 20 and May 19, as the reflected light during these months is approximately 10% brighter than average, as noted by NASA.
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Check out more news and information on the Moon in Science Times.
