PIX4575478: Un X au premier quartier de Lune - First Quarter Moon and The Lunar X - La Lune seen on March 3, 2009, about twenty hours before the first quarter. Down the image, close to the terminator, a white “” x” is visible. Easily observable in binoculars, this formation is visible only a few hours a month, shortly before the first moonquarter. This particular formation appears when the Sun illuminates the walls of Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach crateres. The Lunar “” X”” is an interesting formation created by the walls of craters Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach that appears in the form of the letter X when illuminated by the Sun for a brief period of time around first quarter. The formation is also known as the Purbach Cross and the Werner X. The optical illusion is relatively unknown because it is visible for only about 4 hours just before first quarter. The X stands out when just the rims of the craters are illuminated and the floors are in the deep shadows of lunar night along the terminator. When the Sun shines into the craters, the X blends into its surroundings, looking like the normal cratered lunar landscape. These photos were taken at approximately 6:59 p.m. est (11:59 UT) on March 3, 2009. First quarter occurred at 2:46 a.m. east (7:46 UT) on March 4 / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580011: The Place Forte de Neuf Brisach in Alsace. Construction 1703, plans by Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580032: The training camp of the commandos of the Armee de Terre, in the citadel of Mont Louis (Languedoc Roussillon). Construction 1679, plans by Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580066: Fort de Bellegarde, Fort Saint Louis, in Toulon in the Var. Construction 1778, plans by Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580088: The Chateau de Bazoches in Burgundy. Residence of Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). Construction 12th century, modification and modifications by Vauban from 1675 to 1707. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580161: La Porte Royale de La Citadelle de Lille (Nord Pas de Calais). Construction 1670 on the plans of Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580171: Place d'armes de la Citadelle de Lille (Nord Pas de Calais). Construction 1670 on the plans of Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580176: The pediment of the Porte Royale de La Citadelle de Lille (Nord Pas de Calais). Construction 1670 on the plans of Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580206: La dam du Fort de Querqueville (1786) à Cherbourg (Manche, Normandy). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580215: La dam du Fort de Querqueville (1786) à Cherbourg (Manche, Normandy). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580250: Fort de Querqueville (1786) to Cherbourg (Manche, Normandy). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580266: Fort de Querqueville (1786) to Cherbourg (Manche, Normandy). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580296: Fort de la Hougue to Saint Vaast la Hougue (Manche, Normandy). Construction 1694, on the plans of Sebastien Le prestre de Vauban (1633-1707). Photography 05/06/01. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580344: Fort of the Ile de Tatihou (1694), in Saint Vaast la Hougue (Manche, Normandy). Photography 05/06/01. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580394: Le fort de l'île Pelee (1783) à Cherbourg (Manche, Normandy). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4580457: Fortifications of Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707) in Porquerolles (Var). / Bridgeman Images

OMG4580544: Residential building (1984) on Unrinii Boulevard in Bucharest, Romania. The Boulevard of the Victory of Socialism (Boulevard Unrinii) was inaugurated by Nicolas Ceaucescu on 25 June 1984. Photography 10/10/05. / Bridgeman Images

OMG4580836: Boulevard Unirii in Bucharest, Romania. / Bridgeman Images

OMG4580849: Office building on Boulevard Unirii in Bucharest, Romania. Photograph 10/10/05. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4581162: Former crossing point between the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR in Berlin (Germany). / Bridgeman Images

TEC4581366: The Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4581714: Grenoble (Isere, Rhone Alpes). / Bridgeman Images

TEC4581759: Grenoble (Isere, Rhone Alpes). / Bridgeman Images

ITR4582285: Les Dromonts in Avoriaz (Haute Savoie) Architect Jacques Labro 1967. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4582287: Les Dromonts in Avoriaz (Haute Savoie) Architect Jacques Labro 1967. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4582427: Roof of the ecumenical room of Avoriaz (Savoy). Architect Jacques Labro 1978. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4582522: Les Dromonts in Avoriaz (Haute Savoie) Architect Jacques Labro 1967. / Bridgeman Images

ITR4582546: The eucumenic hall of Avoriaz (Savoy), in winter. Architect Jacques Labro 1978. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582739: Sartene in Southern Corsica. Photography 17/03/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582767: Bonifacio in Corsica. Photography 15/05/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582782: Bonifacio in Corsica. Photography 15/05/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582797: Bonifacio in Corsica. Photography 15/05/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582822: Bonifacio in Corsica. Photography 15/05/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582834: Bonifacio in Corsica. Photography 15/05/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582852: Bonifacio in Corsica. Photography 15/05/07. / Bridgeman Images

TEC4582884: Residential building, Avenue des Cretes, Cannicio Quarter in Ajaccio, South Corsica. Photography 17/08/07. / Bridgeman Images