The launch occured just after sunset on a day when the moon was full. You can see the shadow of the earth cross the plume, and also where the same shadow covers the atmosphere, down lower due to the perspective of the photographer. The moon is seen right at the edge of the earth's shadow because when it is full the moon rises just as the sun sets. The shadow of the plume appears to point directly toward the moon because of the photographer's perspective again; the shadow is produced by parallel rays from the sun that stream toward the antisolar point. However, the moon is at the antisolar point when it is full! Actually, if you look closely you'll notice the shadow just misses the moon; the moon is not precisely full at this moment. But these photos certainly are packed with interesting optical phenomena!