Illuminating Earth’s shine
A climate experiment called Earthshine is part of ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen’s Huginn mission. The experiment aims to understand how Earth reflects sunlight to improve climate models. And you can help Andreas and the scientists!
Shining back at the Moon
When sunlight hits Earth, a part of it is reflected into space by clouds, ice, and Earth’s surface. The ratio of reflected light to incoming light is called the albedo. In climate models, it is an important parameter as it indicates how much energy enters Earth’s system.
One way to calculate albedo is to use the Moon as a projection screen, by measuring the light that is reflected from the Moon, scientists can calculate how much comes from the Sun and how much is reflected from Earth. The Moon, however, needs to be at a specific moment in its orbit: the new Moon phase. During this period, less of the visible part of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, and more will be lit up by the light reflected from Earth.
Many images of our Moon have been taken from ground using telescopes on Earth, but our atmosphere disturbs these observations. As taking images from space removes our atmosphere from the equation, Andreas will take hundreds of images of the Moon from the International Space Station’s Cupola observatory.
Climate models for the future
Andreas’s images will provide scientists from the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), Department of Space from Danish Technical University (DTU Space) and Institute of Space Systems (IRS) at the University of Stuttgart, Germany,with valuable information about optimal camera use. The results will be used to design a future space-based instrument.
“It is tremendous that Andreas will work on Earthshine during his Huginn mission. Us scientists will get new data and Andreas helps us create awareness of the climate science goals we hope to see with this experiment” says Peter Thejll, senior scientist from DMI.
Observations over the last 20 years show that Earth’s albedo has reduced, with less sunlight reflected.
#NewMoonSnap to help climate science
As part of the experiment, ESA and DMI invite the public to take their own pictures of the new Moon and share them using the hashtags #NewMoonSnap and #Huginn in their social media posts. The scientists are hoping that despite some atmospheric disturbances, a substantial amount of people capturing pictures could provide valuable contributions. “We want to engage people in our climate science and with Andreas on the Space Station, people can help us from the ground” says Peter Thejll.
The new Moon is best photographed using a good quality digital camera. If you are in a pinch, your mobile phone can work. It is recommended to use the ‘Professional‘ or ‘Pro‘ mode in your camera app as it provides more options for the settings.
To take good photos and help the scientists, here are the settings that should set your camera up for success:
- On your camera, set the file format to RAW or NEF, if possible.
- Set ISO to 4000 and the f-stop to f/2.8
- Exposure should be between 1/2000 to 1/250 s, see the graph in the article for what exposure to use on which day.
- Keep the Moon centred in the frame.
- If possible, use a telephoto lens.
It is best to take photos after sunset, or in the morning before sunrise. Here are the days throughout the Huginn mission that would be best for taking photos of the new moon:
- 14 to 18 August 2023
- 13 to 17 September 2023
- 12 to 16 October 2023
- 11 to 15 November 2023
- 11 to 15 December 2023
- 9 to 13 January 2024
- 8 to 12 February 2024
For more information on optimal timing see the info for some European cities on this schedule.
You can follow the Huginn mission on Andreas’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on ESA’s Huginn page.
Schedule for taking pictures of the new Moon
| Date | Time for photos before sunrise | Time for photos after sunset |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| 14 August | 3:29-6:21 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 August | 4:41-6:23 | 21:06-21:20 |
| 16 August (New Moon) | 5:55-6:24 | 21:04-21:35 |
| 17 August | Moon rises after the Sun | 21:02-21:47 |
| 18 August | Moon rises after the Sun | 21:00-21:57 |
| Paris, France | ||
| 14 August | 4:02-6:41 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 August | 5:10-6:43 | 21:07-21:16 |
| 16Aaugust (New Moon) | 6:19-6:44 | 21:05-21:35 |
| 17 August | Moon rises after the Sun | 21:03-21:50 |
| 18 August | Moon rises after the Sun | 21:01-22:04 |
| Madrid, Spain | ||
| 14 August | 5:06-7:24 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 August | 6:08-7:25 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 16Aaugust (New Moon) | 7:10-7:26 | 21:11-21:39 |
| 17 August | Moon rises after the Sun | 21:10-22:01 |
| 18 August | Moon rises after the Sun | 21:09-22:21 |
| Rome, Italy | ||
| 14 August | 3:53-6:17 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| Date / Location | Time for photos before sunrise | Time for photos after sunset |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| 13 September | 04:57-07:11 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 September | 06:09-07:12 | 20:00-20:06 |
| 15 September (New Moon) | Moon rises after The Sun | 19:56-20:15 |
| 16 September | Moon rises after The Sun | 19:54-20:24 |
| 17 September | Moon rises after The Sun | 19:52-20:34 |
| Paris, France | ||
| 13 September | 05:19-07:24 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 September | 06:27-07:25 | 20:06-20:12 |
| 15 September (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | 20:04-20:25 |
| 16 September | Moon rises after the Sun | 20:02-20:37 |
| 17 September | Moon rises after the Sun | 20:02-20:51 |
| Madrid, Spain | ||
| 13 September | 06:04-7:53 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 September | 07:06-7:54 | Moon sets with the Sun |
| 15 September (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | 20:24-20:47 |
| 16 September | Moon rises after the Sun | 20:23-21:07 |
| 17 September | Moon rises after the Sun | 20:21-21:27 |
| Rome, Italy | ||
| 13 September | 04:54-06:48 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 September | 05:56-06:49 | 19:22-19:24 |
| 15 September (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:20-19:42 |
| 16 September | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:19-20:00 |
| 17 September | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:17-20:19 |
| Date / Location | Time for photos before sunrise | Time for photos after sunset |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| 12 October | 05:08-08:00 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 October | 06:20-08:02 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 October (New Moon) | 07:33-08:03 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 18:47-18:54 |
| 16 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 18:44-19:08 |
| Paris, France | ||
| 12 October | 05:24-8:06 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 October | 06:31-8:07 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 October (New Moon) | 07:40-8:09 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:02-19:14 |
| 16 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:00-19:32 |
| Madrid, Spain | ||
| 12 October | 05:57-8:23 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 October | 06:58-8:23 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 October (New Moon) | 07:59-8:24 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:35-19:55 |
| 16 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 19:34-20:20 |
| Rome, Italy | ||
| 12 October | 04:48-7:19 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 October | 05:50-7:20 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 October (New Moon) | 06:52-7:21 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 15 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 18:29-18:46 |
| 16 October | Moon rises after the Sun | 18:28-19:11 |
| Date / Location | Time for photos before sunrise | Time for photos after sunset |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| 11 November | 05:30-7:54 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 November | 06:47-7:56 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 November (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:50-16:56 |
| 15 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:48-17:32 |
| Paris, France | ||
| 11 November | 05:34-7:53 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 November | 06:48-7:54 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 November (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:12-17:27 |
| 15 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:11-18:07 |
| Madrid, Spain | ||
| 11 November | 05:49-7:56 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 November | 06:54-7:57 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 November (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:59-18:28 |
| 15 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:58-19:15 |
| Rome, Italy | ||
| 11 November | 04:34-6:54 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 November | 05:50-6:55 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 November (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:50-17:17 |
| 15 November | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:50-18:01 |
| Date / Location | Time for photos before sunrise | Time for photos after sunset |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| 11 December | 07:07-08:40 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 December | 08:32-08:41 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 December (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:27-17:22 |
| 15 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:27-18:46 |
| Paris, France | ||
| 11 December | 07:01-08:34 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 December | 08:20-08:35 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 December (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 14 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:54-17:58 |
| 15 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:54-19:18 |
| Madrid, Spain | ||
| 11 December | 06:54-08:27 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 December | 08:06-08:28 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 December (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:49-18:00 |
| 14 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:49-19:07 |
| 15 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 17:49-20:21 |
| Rome, Italy | ||
| 11 December | 05:51-07:27 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 December | 07:07-07:28 | Moon sets before the Sun |
| 13 December (New Moon) | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:39-16:46 |
| 14 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:39-17:52 |
| 15 December | Moon rises after the Sun | 16:40-19:07 |
| Date / Location | Time for photos before sunrise | Time for photos after sunset |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ||
| 9 January | 07:25-08:48 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 10 January | 08:36-08:47 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 11 January (New Moon) | The Moon rises after the Sun | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 16:51-17:50 |
| 13 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 16:53-19:25 |
| Paris, France | ||
| 9 January | 07:11-08:42 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 10 January | 08:21-08:42 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 11 January (New Moon) | The Moon rises after the Sun | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 17:17-18:18 |
| 13 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 17:18-19:49 |
| Madrid, Spain | ||
| 9 January | 06:54-08:38 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 10 January | 08:01-08:34 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 11 January (New moon) | The Moon rises after the Sun | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 12 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 18:09-19:17 |
| 13 January | The moon rises after the Sun | 18:10-20:37 |
| Rome, Italy | ||
| 9 January | 04:50-07:03 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 10 January | 05:52-07:04 | The Moon sets before the Sun |
| 11 January (New Moon) | 06:56-07:04 | 19:11-19:27 |
| 12 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 19:12-20:27 |
| 13 January | The Moon rises after the Sun | 19:12-21:25 |