Photographer captures rare Ramadan Moon over Alatau

Rare crescent Moon glows over Alatau peaks / Photo: Instagram.com/dots_foto

Almaty photographer Dmitry Dotsenko shared video of a rare celestial scene showing a thin crescent moon rising above the spruce-covered slopes of the Ile Alatau at the start of the new lunar month during Ramadan.

The footage was taken using a telephoto lens. Dotsenko captured what is known as «ash glow,» or Earthshine — a phenomenon in which the Moon’s darkened portion is faintly illuminated by sunlight reflected from Earth.

Read also: The Qada checklist: How to catch up on your Ramadan days.

The effect makes the unlit part of the lunar disk visible, giving the Moon a striking three-dimensional appearance.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Дмитрий Доценко / Фотограф Алматы (@dots_foto)

In a caption accompanying the video, the photographer reflected on the timing of the event.

«In 2026, the sky decided to unite us. The beginning of Ramadan coincided with Lent and the Eastern New Year. A rare spiritual harmony that reminds us: under this sky, we are all one. Peace and light to every home,» he wrote.