Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


Three Planets from Pic du Midi
<< Yesterday 2.06.2016 Tomorrow >>
Three Planets from Pic du Midi
Credit & Copyright: JL. Dauvergne, E. Kraaikamp, F. Colas / S2P / IMCCE / OMP
Explanation: Seen any planets lately? All three planets now shining brightly in the night sky are imaged in these panels, captured last week with the 1 meter telescope at Pic du Midi Observatory in the French Pyrenees. Near opposition and closest to Earth on May 30, Mars is presently offering the best ground-based photo-ops in the last decade. The sharp image finds clouds above the Red Planet's north pole (top) and towering volcanos near its right limb. Saturn reaches its own opposition tonight, its bright rings and gaps clearly revealed in the telescopic portrait. Jupiter is currently highest during the evening twilight and shows off its planet-girdling cloud bands and Great Red Spot in this scene. Of course close-up images of the ruling gas giant will follow the July arrival of the solar-powered Juno spacecraft and JunoCam.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < June 2016  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su


12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930


Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: Mars - Saturn - Jupiter
Publications with words: Mars - Saturn - Jupiter
See also:
All publications on this topic >>