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Jens
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In addition to the excellent answers already given, here is another famous picture of an anticrepuscular ray (or better: shadow). It is not a coincidence that the shadow of the plume extends almost exactly towards the full moon. It is a consequence of the Sun, Earth and full Moon being almost aligned. So all shadows must point towards the moon at such a moment.

Just imagine what a picture would look like with a second shuttle starting a bit more towards the right...

enter image description here

Image credit: NASA, Pat McCracken.

This also was once the Astronomy Picture of the Day, where you can find some extra explanation.

Jens
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