The first full moon of the year, known as the “Wolf Moon,” appeared dramatically over the Paris skyline on January 3rd, captured in a stunning photograph by Martin Giraud. The image shows the moon rising behind the iconic Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a composite shot that highlights both the celestial event and the city’s famous landmarks.
A Perfectly Aligned Moment
Giraud planned the shot meticulously, using a sky-planning app to identify the alignment of the full moon with the Parisian structures. The timing was crucial: the moon was also near perigee, its closest approach to Earth in its orbit, making it a “supermoon” that appeared up to 14% larger than usual. The photographer deliberately sought out a clear night, which Paris delivered, despite cold temperatures and earlier snowfall.
Capturing the Shot
The photograph was created from multiple frames using a Canon 6D camera and a 500mm telephoto lens. The Eiffel Tower (6.3 km / 3.9 miles away) and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (11.1 km / 6.8 miles away) were included to emphasize the scale of the moon.
The moon’s orange-yellow hue is a result of Rayleigh scattering, an atmospheric effect that bends light, creating the vivid color as the moon breaks the horizon. The dark patches visible on the moon’s surface are lunar maria – ancient lava plains formed billions of years ago from volcanic activity.
The “Wolf Moon” Tradition
The name “Wolf Moon” comes from folklore, referencing the sounds of winter wolf packs howling during lean times. Supermoons like this are not just visually impressive, but also a reminder of the subtle yet powerful gravitational effects our closest celestial neighbor has on Earth.
This image is more than just a beautiful scene; it shows how careful planning, the right equipment, and clear skies can yield spectacular results in astrophotography.
