                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2026 June 7
    The silhouette of a person appears on a hill with a starfield in the
   background. The person's arms are extended to each side, and near each
     hand is a bright orb -- which are really Jupiter (on the right) and
       Venus on the left. Please see the explanation for more detailed
                                information.

                        Jupiter and Venus from Earth
               Image Credit & Copyright: Marek Nikodem (PPSAE)

   Explanation: It was visible around the world. The sunset conjunction of
   Jupiter (left) and Venus (right) in 2012 was visible almost no matter
   where you lived on Earth. Anyone on our planet with a clear western
   horizon at sunset could see them. That year, a creative photographer
   traveled away from the town lights of Szubin, Poland to photograph a
   near closest approach of the two planets. The bright planets were then
   separated by only three degrees and his daughter struck a humorous
   pose. A faint red sunset still glowed in the background. Jupiter and
   Venus are together again this week after sunset, passing within a
   degree of each other about two days from today.

                      Tomorrow's picture: comets Orion
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
                  NASA Web Privacy, Accessibility, Notices;
                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

