Explanation:
The brilliant full Moon might not
look quite like this to skygazers next Monday, but
the
image is a mosaic of 18 digital frames recorded
when the Moon was only about seven hours past its exact
full
phase
or time of maximum illumination
as viewed from
Earth.
Here, the pixel values corresponding to light and dark
areas have been translated in reverse, or inverted, producing a
false-color representation
reminiscent of a black and white
photographic
negative.
Normally bright rays from the large
crater Tycho dominate the
southern (bottom) features as easily followed dark lines emanating
from the 85 kilometer diameter impact site.
Normally dark lunar mare appear
light and silvery.
Traditionally, astronomical images
recorded on
photographic plates
were directly examined in this negative color scheme, which can help
the eye pick out faint details.
