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An awe-inspiring phenomenon known as the 'Da Vinci glow' or Earthshine will grace the night skies until May 25. And it will provide stargazers with an awesome celestial spectacle.

The ethereal light, named after the visionary artist and scientist Leonardo Da Vinci, illuminates the dark shadowy parts of the crescent moon.

Witnessing the Da Vinci Glow

As long as the sky is clear, viewers see Earthshine in the eastern sky from May 15 to May 17.

This occurs before sunrise, with the Moon experiencing its lowest illumination of seven percent on Wednesday.

According to LiveScience Earthshine can also be viewed in the western sky from May 21 to May 23, with a 5-percent illuminated Moon on Sunday.

Viewers have the opportunity to witness the 'Da Vinci glow' during the week leading up to and following the upcoming New Moon on May 19. 

The best chances of observing this spectacle occur when a thin crescent moon is visible close to the horizon. The subtle illumination adds a captivating touch to the night sky. And puts a fine light on the moon.

The best chances of observing this spectacle occur when a thin crescent moon is visible close to the horizon.  Earthshine is most visible at mid-northern latitudes when the Moon is positioned above the setting Sun.

Understanding Earthshine

Earthshine, also referred to as the 'Da Vinci glow,' is a celestial phenomenon where sunlight is reflected off the Earth's surface onto the lunar landscape, and then back into our eyes. 

Twice-reflected sunlight creates a ghostly glow on its Earth-facing side. 

This delicate interplay between the Earth, Moon, and the Sun results in a subtle radiance on the shadowed section of the crescent moon, creating a mystical spectacle.

This week we pay homage to his genius as we observe the 'Da Vinci glow' in the night sky.

The Legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci, a true genius of the Renaissance era gifted the world with masterpieces like the Mona Lisa. And he also conducted pioneering research across various disciplines. 

The Italian Da Vinci unraveled the mystery behind Earthshine. He left behind sketches and notes that demonstrated his profound understanding of the astronomical phenomenon. 

Professor Don Pollacco from the University of Warwick Department of Physics sheds light on the science behind Earthshine.

Pollacco explains that when the Moon is a slim crescent, the dark portion of the moon appears faintly illuminated. This may seem perplexing since the crescent is the section directly exposed to sunlight. However, the ghostly glow results from Earth's light being reflected back onto the Moon's surface, giving rise to the name 'Earthshine.'