'Earthshine' Illuminates Stunning Crescent Moon (Photo)

Earthshine illuminates this waxing crescent moon in this photo taken by Vegastar Carpentier on Nov. 17, 2012 from Paris, France. Carpentier used a Canon EOS 1000D camera and a refractor 1000mm telescope to capture the image. Credit: Vegastar Carpentier View full size image

A waxing crescent moon is aglow with earthshine in this beautiful night sky photo.

Photographer VegaStar Carpentier took this photo on Nov. 17 from Paris, France. Carpentier used a Canon EOS 1000D camera and a refractor 1000mm telescope to capture the image.

When sunlight reflects off the Earth and shines onto the moon, the phenomenon is called "earthshine." A crescent moon is between a new moon and a half moon. The moon in this image is waxing at 16.7 percent of lunar illumination.

Editor's note: If you have an amazing skywatching photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, send images, comments and location information to managing editor Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com.

Follow SPACE.com on Twitter @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook & Google+. 

Moon Master: An Easy Quiz for Lunatics

For most of human history, the moon was largely a mystery. It spawned awe and fear and to this day is the source of myth and legend. But today we know a lot about our favorite natural satellite. Do you?

Start the Quiz

0 of 10 questions complete

Moon Master: An Easy Quiz for Lunatics

For most of human history, the moon was largely a mystery. It spawned awe and fear and to this day is the source of myth and legend. But today we know a lot about our favorite natural satellite. Do you?

0 of questions complete

Start Over | More Quizzes