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Credit & Copyright: Giorgia Hofer
(Cortina Astronomical Association)
Explanation:
What are those bright lights in the sky ahead?
When hiking a high mountain pass in northern
Italy three weeks ago, a
conjunction
between our Moon and the distant
planet Jupiter
was visible as both
rose together in the southwest after sunset.
The picturesque mountains in the distance are
Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo),
a UNESCO World Heritage Site and three of the best known mountain peaks in Italy,
the
Dolomites, and the entire
Alps.
In the foreground on the left is
Locatelli
Hut, a
refuge for
tired
hikers
as it is located over an hour from nearest parking lot.
The bright sky object on the upper left is
Saturn.
The entire scene was captured on a single 8-second exposure.
Jupiter and
Saturn will remain
prominent
in the western sky
after sunset this month, while the Moon,
in its monthly orbit around the Earth, will pass
near Jupiter again in about four days.
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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: Moon - Jupiter
Publications with words: Moon - Jupiter
See also: