ASTRONOMY PICTURE

OF THE DAY

AUGUST 17, 2014

Jupiter and Venus from Earth

EXPLANATION

It was visible around the world. The sunset conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in 2012 was visible almost no matter where you lived on Earth. Anyone on the planet with a clear western horizon at sunset could see them. Pictured above in 2012, a creative photographer traveled away from the town lights of Szubin, Poland to image a near closest approach of the two planets. The bright planets were separated only by three degrees and his daughter striking a humorous pose. A faint red sunset still glowed in the background. Early tomorrow (Monday) morning, the two planets will pass even closer—only 0.2 degrees apart as visible from some locations—just before sunrise.

Image Credit

Marek Nikodem (PPSAE)