September 26, 2008
The Moon has changed phase thousands of times since the beginning of the cosmos, but only once did it shine on the night you arrived.
Moon Rays over Byurakan Observatory
Birthday · September 26, 2008
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APOD published September 26, 2008. Credit: Babak Tafreshi. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
On September 7th, the first quarter Moon and passing clouds contributed to a dramatic night sky over the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. This panoramic view begins at the left looking toward the eastern horizon and the rising stars of the constellation Perseus. Sweeping your gaze to the right (south), you'll find the large observatory dome, housing a 2.6 meter diameter telescope, backlit by lights from nearby Yerevan, capital city of Armenia. Fittingly poised above the observatory dome is the bright, giant star Enif in the high-flying constellation Pegasus. Farther to the right, the brightest celestial beacon just above the clouds is our Solar System's ruling gas giant Jupiter. At the far right, the Moon is nearly hidden by an approaching cloudbank, but the clouds themselves actually cast shadows in the bright moonlight, creating the effect of Moon rays across the evening sky.
Image credit: Babak Tafreshi