The Moon: Inspiration and Frustration

Pictured here under a moonlit sky, high on the slopes of Maunakea, are two of the world’s most advanced astronomical observatories. In the foreground is the iconic dome of Gemini North, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab, and in the background is the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. In the upper right corner of the image is the Moon blazing with reflected sunlight.

Astronomers have a complex relationship with the Moon. Studying it has offered insights into the early Solar System and the history of Earth. The Moon is a familiar object that drives interest in astronomy as it is usually the first object observed by young people and it’s easy for anyone to observe. As a result, it is frequently used in public engagement programs. However, it’s a hindrance to many types of observations because of the amount of light it reflects. Its brightness, especially when in its full phase, brightens the rest of the sky and washes out faint objects like galaxies or other nebulas. Because of this, astronomers must plan their observations around the lunar cycle to minimize the impact of the Moon’s light, for instance by observing more in the infrared.

This photo was taken as part of the NOIRLab 2022 Photo Expedition to all the NOIRLab sites. Theofanis Matsopoulos, the photographer, is a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.