Campus Life

Institute Double Take

Dazzling earthlings with a stunning view of the moon, the Boston skyline glittered with its jewel. Occurring every 18 years or so, an astronomical event called Supermoon (or more accurately, Perigee-Syzygy) was witnessed on March 19 around 7:20 p.m. in Boston. The Earth, Moon and Sun are in line, and the Moon is in its nearest approach to the Earth, thus appearing about 14 percent larger in size, and reflecting about 30 percent more light.

These photographs were taken from MIT campus at an elevated point, looking towards Boston. I had set up the camera hours before and was waiting for the moonrise through the skyline. The main challenge with capturing this view is that the Moon is much brighter than the surrounding skyline — a high contrast scene, leading to over and under exposed areas.

Left:

Aperture:
ƒ/5.0

Exposure Time:
1/12.5 sec.

Sensitivity:
ISO 200

Effective Focal Length:
1425 mm

Date and Time:
7:26 p.m. EST., March 19, 2011

Right:

Aperture:
ƒ/2.0

Exposure Time:
1/2 sec.

Sensitivity:
ISO 400

Effective Focal Length:
200 mm

Date and Time:
8:43 p.m. EST., March 20, 2011