Comet NEOWISE and a crescent moon
Another long trek with the equipment yesterday evening – and the lack of sleep is definitely beginning to take its toll – but happy to be able to share the outcome!
Comet NEOWISE was joined by a crescent moon gracing the horizon at twilight. Even though only a sliver of its face was illuminated, the rest of it can be seen glowing in Earthshine, i.e. sunlight reflecting off the Earth’s surface and impinging upon the moon, thus lifting its shadows.
The moon’s own reflection, in turn, is flanked by the ‘Fungus Rock’ (‘Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral’) on one side, and the tiny ‘Crocodile Rock’ on the other, while the promontory formed by ‘Il-Misjad’ and ‘Ras id-Dwejra’ acts as a breakwater. This natural harbour of Dwejra (‘Il-Port’ or ‘Il-Qala tad-Dwejra’) is but only one of a number of sinkholes (or subsidence structures); their concentration is a feature that makes this site unique.
The boats almost seemed like sentient creatures, all aligned in one direction, as if witnessing the spectacle unfolding above. Alas, later at night they do pose issues of light pollution at times, but at least these are transient. (The Dark Sky Heritage Area policy excepts lights for purposes of maritime and aerial navigation.)
For more about this place, including more details on the geomorphology I mentioned above, have a look at www.dwejra.net
The moon’s own reflection, in turn, is flanked by the ‘Fungus Rock’ (‘Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral’) on one side, and the tiny ‘Crocodile Rock’ on the other, while the promontory formed by ‘Il-Misjad’ and ‘Ras id-Dwejra’ acts as a breakwater. This natural harbour of Dwejra (‘Il-Port’ or ‘Il-Qala tad-Dwejra’) is but only one of a number of sinkholes (or subsidence structures); their concentration is a feature that makes this site unique.
The boats almost seemed like sentient creatures, all aligned in one direction, as if witnessing the spectacle unfolding above. Alas, later at night they do pose issues of light pollution at times, but at least these are transient. (The Dark Sky Heritage Area policy excepts lights for purposes of maritime and aerial navigation.)
For more about this place, including more details on the geomorphology I mentioned above, have a look at www.dwejra.net