Moon Rays over Byurakan Observatory

On September 7th, the first quarter Moon and passing clouds contributed to a dramatic night sky over the
Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. This panoramic view begins at the left looking toward the eastern
horizon and the rising stars of the constellation Perseus. Sweeping your gaze to the right (south), you'll
find the large observatory dome, housing a 2.6 meter diameter telescope, backlit by lights from nearby
Yerevan, capital city of Armenia. Fittingly poised above the observatory dome is the bright, giant star
Enif in the high-flying constellation Pegasus. Farther to the right, the brightest celestial beacon just above
the clouds is our Solar System's ruling gas giant Jupiter. At the far right, the Moon is nearly hidden by
an approaching cloudbank, but the clouds themselves actually cast shadows in the bright moonlight,
creating the effect of Moon rays across the evening sky.