Lunar horizon glow phenomenon remains unexplained after decades of observation. The lunar horizon glow has been observed on video and photography since the 1960s. Robotic probes and astronauts have observed domes of light and beams extending 70-80 miles into the lunar sky at the terminator. Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ron Evans sketched streamers extending 75 miles high and a dome of light 5-6 miles high above the lunar surface from orbit.
The lunar horizon glow has puzzled observers since the 1960s. Apollo 17's Cernan, Schmitt, and Evans sketched light beams extending 75 miles high. NASA's explanation involves electrostatically levitated dust, yet their own measurements found the dust too sparse to create visible scattering. Redwire Space cameras on Blue Ghost Mission One captured new images from Mare Crisium in March 2025.
Key Facts
- The lunar horizon glow has been observed on video and photography since the 1960s.
- Robotic probes and astronauts have observed domes of light and beams extending 70-80 miles into the lunar sky at the terminator.
- Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ron Evans sketched streamers extending 75 miles high and a dome of light 5-6 miles high above the lunar surface from orbit.
- Surveyor robotic landers in the 1960s captured black and white Vidicon camera images of lunar horizon glow.
- NASA's main explanation since the 1970s has been electrostatically levitated glassy lunar dust refracting sunlight.
- NASA's own measurements since the 1970s found lunar dust too sparse to produce visible luminous scattering phenomena.
- The Moon's exosphere is approximately 1,000 trillionth the density of Earth's atmosphere.
- Redwire Space cameras on the Blue Ghost Mission One lander captured images of lunar horizon glow from Mare Crisium in March 2025.
Source: A NASA Scientist Found Towers on the Moon by The Cosmic Summit