"Mars & a colorful Lunar Moonbow over Haleakala Crater"

Even from the top of a volcanic crater, this vista was unusual. For one reason, Mars was dazzlingly bright two weeks ago, when this picture was taken, as it was nearing its brightest time of the entire year. Mars, on the far upper left, is the brightest object in the above picture. The brightness of the red planet peaked last week near when Mars reached opposition, the time when Earth and Mars are closest together in their orbits. Arching across the lower part of the image is a rare lunar fog bow. Unlike a more commonly seen rainbow, which is created by sunlight reflected prismatically by falling rain, this fog bow was created by moonlight reflected by the small water drops that compose fog. Although most fog bows appear white, all of the colors of the rainbow were somehow visible here. The above image was taken from high atop Haleakala, a huge volcano in Hawaii, USA. Taken February 2, 2010.

This wonderful print is printed on the highest archival quality paper with vivid color and exceptional detail. Dimensions: 12''X18''.

For more of Wally’s work, visit his gallery www.astropics.com.

Wally Pacholka specializes in landscape astrophotography of America`s National Parks and great natural landmarks. His celestial photography earned him TIME Magazine`s "Picture of Year" honors for his image of Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. When Mars made it`s closest approach to Earth in history in 2003, he earned a second TIME Magazine "Picture of Year" award for his photograph of that event. He followed that honor with a LIFE Magazine "Picture of Year" for another Mars photograph that same year. LIFE Magazine`s 2007 issue of "America the Beautiful" includes one of Pacholka`s signature images. Over the years his scenic astro-landscape images have graced the pages of many other international publications including National Geographic, Newsweek, Encyclopaedia Britannia.