Happy New Year!

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 10, 2013718 views13 comments

Chinese New Year that is! The year of the Snake, my birth year BTW. Not only is this moon the marking of the new Chinese year, it is also one that is fairly unique in its orientation here in the northern hemisphere.

Typically the new crescent moon will be positioned to the south of the setting point of the sun, giving an orientation of the moon's limbs such that it appears rotated CCW with its right limb higher up than the left limb. This moon as you can see is rotated slightly CW with its right limb lower than its left limb.

It not uncommon for the moon to be directly above the sun especially near the vernal equinox, but to the right is. If I am correct its the only one I have in this orientation.

This one also shows a very faint hint of earth shine as you can just make out the sphere of the moon. All in all it was an exciting outing for me. Enjoy.

Nikon D2x, Nikon 400mm f/5.6 @ f5.6 and 0.8 sec at ISO 100. This was taken about 14 minutes after it was first sighted when the sky dimmed a bit and colored up. This moon was also only 20 hours and 16 minutes past conjunction and only 1% illuminated when first spotted. A relatively young moon to be spotted by the naked eye.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 11, 2013 at 1:19 AM

And i keep writing 'Year of the Dragon' on my checkbook...

(Letterman joke)
Sweet shot, Youssef!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 11, 2013 at 11:46 AM

Another lovely crescent moon shot with beautiful color changes.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 11, 2013 at 3:37 PM

Love this series of yours. Awesome capture.

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on February 11, 2013 at 5:37 PM

Now thats the most minimalist moon shot I've ever seen! But it works a treat

, Beautiful colours, great moon.

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 11, 2013 at 6:15 PM

Just gorgeous and wonderful Youssef! As always I thoroughly enjoy your crescent moon images and this one does not disappoint! Several things going on here that I wanted to mention. First, as much as many want to avoid break the rules (which is great and we should,) this is just a classic example of the strength of the Rule of Thirds (or pretty close to it.) I love the comp and the positioning you chose for the moon.

Second, so very, very, subtle, but being able to pick out the entire disc is very cool and keeps me looking.

Lastly, while I certainly appreciate the beauty and simplicity here, I also wanted to thank you because it seems I'm always getting an education about the moon. Never considered or knew about the various orientations. Very cool, so thanks!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on February 11, 2013 at 9:04 PM

... to you too! (Yeah, I know, just like you, my name doesn't sound Chinese, either.)

What a lovely and simple scene! This reminds me of some of the modern art images I have admired in wall-size paintings. Even better, it is realistic in addition to being graphically pleasing. This would look spectacular taking up an entire wall.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on February 11, 2013 at 9:44 PM

Yeah, I can't ever remember seeing the crescent in that orientation before. Pretty neat. Like the shadow barely visible as well.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 11, 2013 at 10:45 PM

Lovely. Always enjoy these and marvel how different they all are.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on February 12, 2013 at 12:06 AM

Great time and great colors, i like the simplicity

Sobhan Allah & mashaa Allah

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 12, 2013 at 6:20 PM

I love the delicate nature and mix of blue and yellow Ismail. Very beautiful!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 13, 2013 at 11:37 AM

Another fine moon for your collection. Real nice color gradient in the sky.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Piotrowski on February 13, 2013 at 5:48 PM

Nice, minimal, a bit abstract. I like it. Excellent execution.

Registered on January 20, 2012, 6 Posts, 48 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on February 14, 2013 at 2:47 PM

I love the pastel gradient and the tiny sliver of moon.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments