Inspiration of visual artists can be linked to visual diversity associated with fundamental
optical phenomena operating within an environment.
Geographic regions historically renowned for their appeal to visual artists due to "special" characteristics
of local natural lighting in fact may be characterized by a richness, complexity, or otherwise unusual mix of contributing
optical phenomena correlated with geographic, topologic and atmospheric characteristics. In contrast, the relative
"visual poverty" of the lunar surface is attributable not simply to the absence of a biosphere supporting
flora and fauna, but to the absence of an atmosphere/lithosphere essential to supporting a diversity of optical
phenomena.