Astronomy Picture of the Day——20190214

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2019 February 14

PlaneCrossing a Crescent Moon

ImageCredit & Copyright: Olivier Staiger (Binounistan.com)

Explanation:No, this is not a good way to get to the Moon. What is pictured is a chancesuperposition of an airplane and the Moon. The contrail would normally appearwhite, but the large volume of air toward the setting Sun preferentially knocksaway blue light, giving the reflected trail a bright red hue. Far in thedistance, well behind the plane, is a crescent Moon, also slightly reddened.Captured a month ago above Valais, Switzerland, the featured image was taken sosoon after sunset that planes in the sky were still in sunlight, as were theircontrails. Within minutes, unfortunately, the impromptu sky show ended. Theplane crossed the Moon and moved out of sight. The Moon set. The contrailbecame unilluminated and then dispersed.