An extremely rare atmospheric phenomenon created the illusion of four moons in the night sky over Russia’s St. Petersburg on January 31 and February 1. Scientists explained that the sight was caused by a paraselene, also known as a mock moon. The rare lunar halo phenomenon occurs when moonlight passes through plate-shaped ice crystals in high-altitude cirrus clouds, bending light at a 22-degree angle. Exceptionally favorable conditions produced two mock moons on each side of the real Moon. Astro

71K views · 1.8K reactions | A brief flash of light on the Moon.  Transient lunar flashes have been reported for centuries — usually appearing, then vanishing without a trace. Short bursts of light can occur when small space debris impacts the Moon or when sunlight reflects off uneven terrain. #MOON #space #SpaceX #NASA | Astro Clips | Facebook