Moon Glory Vale do Tua Dark Sky Site

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Moon Glory at Vale do Tua Dark Sky Site: A Rare Spectacle of Nature

Have you ever witnessed a celestial phenomenon that left you in awe and wonder? Imagine standing on the Ujo viewpoint at the Vale do Tua dark sky site in Northern Portugal, gazing at the mist-laden Tua valley below. In this mystical setting, a breathtaking spectacle unfolds - the Moon Glory. Renowned astrophotographer Miguel Claro captured this ethereal scene, where the moon's low position in the western sky combined with the presence of cloud droplets to create a mesmerizing ringed glory.

The Moon Glory, resembling a halo worn by a saint, is a rare occurrence that transpires when moonlight interacts with tiny water droplets suspended in mist or clouds. This captivating optical phenomenon manifests as concentric rings that gradually diminish in intensity. The outer rings appear reddish, while the inner rings exhibit a bluish hue. Glories are observed at the antilunar point, directly opposite the moon, where the shadow of the observer's head converges. Interestingly, when an observer stands on a mountain, their shadow can give rise to an extraordinary spectacle known as the "Broken Spectre." This phenomenon involves an enormously magnified figure surrounding the glory and takes its name from the Brocken, the tallest peak of the Harz mountain range in Germany.

The Vale do Tua dark sky site, home to this enchanting Moon Glory, has recently been bestowed with the prestigious certification as an International Starlight Tourist Destination. This recognition highlights the exceptional quality of its night sky, making it an ideal location for stargazing and experiencing celestial wonders.

Understanding the Unfathomable: The Colorful Glory

As humans, we often attempt to make sense of the world through our everyday experiences. The Brocken spectre, with its recognizable shadow, is a phenomenon that we can easily comprehend. However, the colorful glory defies our familiar understanding. It is the spectre rather than the Brocken shadow, teasing us with rays that follow seemingly impossible paths through watery spheres. This extraordinary spectacle can be precisely described through abstract mathematics, serving as a reminder that the world is far stranger than we expect, yet not beyond our imagination.

Delving Deeper into Glories

Glories, like the Moon Glory witnessed at Vale do Tua, are just one manifestation of this captivating atmospheric optical phenomenon. Here are some fascinating insights into glories:

• Glories can occur not only around the moon but also around the sun or any bright light source when specific conditions are met.
• The formation of a glory requires a combination of factors, including the presence of small water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere and the observer's positioning relative to the light source and droplets.
• The rings of a glory are caused by the diffraction and interference of light as it interacts with the droplets or crystals. The diffraction occurs as light waves bend and spread out when passing through the droplets, while interference results from the superposition of these diffracted waves.
• The size and spacing of the droplets or crystals influence the size and appearance of the rings in a glory. Smaller droplets tend to produce larger rings, while larger droplets yield smaller rings.
• The colors observed in a glory arise from the constructive and destructive interference of different wavelengths of light. Red light is diffracted at a larger angle than blue light, resulting in the characteristic reddish outer rings and bluish inner rings.

Exploring the Vale do Tua Dark Sky Site

Vale do Tua, with its recently designated status as an International Starlight Tourist Destination, offers an unparalleled experience for avid stargazers and nature enthusiasts. Here's what you can expect when visiting this exceptional dark sky site:

• Pristine Night Skies: Away from the light pollution of urban areas, the Vale do Tua dark sky site boasts exceptionally dark and clear skies, allowing for remarkable views of stars, planets, and celestial phenomena like the Moon Glory.
• Stargazing Facilities: The site provides well-equipped facilities, including observation platforms and telescopes, to enhance your stargazing experience. Knowledgeable guides are also available to offer insights into the night sky.
• Breathtaking Landscapes: The mist-strewn Tua valley, visible from the Ujo viewpoint, offers a captivating backdrop for celestial observations. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region as you witness the wonders of the night sky.
• Educational Programs: The Vale do Tua dark sky site offers educational programs and workshops to deepen your understanding of astronomy and atmospheric optics. Engage with experts and fellow enthusiasts to expand your knowledge of the cosmos.
• Sustainable Tourism: The site promotes sustainable tourism practices to minimize its impact on the environment. By visiting Vale do Tua, you contribute to the preservation of this pristine dark sky site for future generations.

Embrace the Wonder of Moon Glory at Vale do Tua

The Moon Glory witnessed at Vale do Tua's dark sky site is a testament to the captivating beauty of atmospheric optics. As you stand amidst the mist-laden Tua valley, surrounded by the enchanting rings of this rare phenomenon, let yourself be immersed in the awe-inspiring wonders of the universe. Plan your visit to this International Starlight Tourist Destination and prepare to be mesmerized by the ethereal dance of light and nature. Experience the Moon Glory at Vale do Tua and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Moon Glory Miguel Claro (website) captured this scene at the Vale do Tua dark sky site, Northern Portugal. The moon was low in the west and combined its light with cloud droplets to create the ringed glory.

Miguel writes: The scene is from the Ujo viewpoint overlooking the mist strewn Tua valley.

Resembling a saint's halo, the glory happens in rare occasions when moonlight interacts with the tiny water droplets of mist or clouds. Glories have concentric rings successively dimmer. Each is reddish on the outside and bluish towards the centre. Glories are at the antilunar point directly opposite the moon. The shadow of the observer's head converges towards the same point. When the observer is on a mountain the shadow creates the famous "Broken Spectre", an enormously magnified figure surrounding the glory. The name derives from the Brocken, the tallest peak of the Harz mountain range in Germany.

The site, the Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, was recently certified as an International Starlight Tourist Destination.

We try - even expect - to understand the world with our everyday experiences.

The Brocken spectre is easily understood. We all know what a shadow is.

In contrast, the colourful glory is not at all graspable in familiar terms. It is the spectre rather than the Brocken shadow. It mocks us with rays that have impossible paths through watery spheres. It is easily and exactly described by abstract mathematics and reminds us that the world is stranger than we expect but not, perhaps, stranger than we can imagine.

More about glories...

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