Moonglint mystery explained: when and how this glowing reflection is formed

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Earth appears even more beautiful when viewed from space, where natural phenomena look more vivid and captivating. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station often capture stunning visuals of our planet, including a rare and mesmerizing sight known as “moonglint.”

This phenomenon was highlighted in an image shared by NASA, taken on March 19, 2025. It shows the Florida Peninsula and Cuba at night with a bright reflection of moonlight shining across the ocean. Moonglint occurs when moonlight reflects off a calm water surface at the right angle, similar to the sunglint effect seen during the day, creating a concentrated glow visible from space.

The image also captures illuminated cities like Miami and Tampa along with dark natural regions such as the Everglades. Such visuals are rare as moonglint requires clear skies, calm waters and perfect alignment of the moon making it a truly spectacular natural event.