1. Halo or Glow Effect
When the moon is partially obscured by thin clouds, the light can scatter, creating:
-
A glowing aura around the moon
-
Diffuse or “fuzzy” edges
-
Sometimes circular halos if ice crystals are in the clouds
This is very common in night photography and can look quite mysterious.
2. Apparent Shapes or Shadows
Clouds moving across the moon can create:
-
Dark streaks or shapes that look like objects floating in the sky
-
Optical illusions where the moonlight seems to “paint” patterns
This can easily make it look like something unusual is happening 13 miles from your house.
3. Camera Effects
-
Long exposure or higher ISO in night photography can amplify glow and blur, making the moon look much bigger or more dramatic.
-
Lens flare can create ghost shapes, halos, or streaks around the moon.
💡 Bottom line: What your brother photographed was almost certainly just the moon shining through clouds at night, possibly enhanced by camera settings or cloud movement. It’s beautiful, atmospheric, and can look “otherworldly,” but it’s completely natural.