A vintage illustration of a 'Paraselenae' or 'mock moons' phenomenon in the sky, with a large halo and two smaller circular halos resembling moons, above a landscape of trees, buildings, and water.
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This is a vintage black and white illustration depicting a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as 'Paraselenae' or 'mock moons'. The central focus is a large, bright, circular halo in the sky. Within the halo, there's a distinct cross-shaped pattern radiating from the center. Surrounding the main halo are two smaller, fainter circular halos, one on either side, resembling smaller moons. These are the 'mock moons'. Below the sky, there's a landscape featuring a body of water, likely a lake or river, and a silhouette of trees and buildings. The landscape is rendered in a detailed, somewhat sketchy style, suggesting a rural or small-town setting. The sky is filled with a grainy texture, typical of older illustrations. The image has a caption at the bottom that reads 'Fig. 727. - Paraselenae, or mock moons.'


License: CC0