Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]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 August 25
     [2]Many images of Earth's Moon are shown each partly eclipsed. The
   lunar images are arranged so that the eclipsed dark part is toward the
      center, showing a large dark circle in the center. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                Earth's Shadow Visualized with Lunar Eclipses
                   Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Tim Martin

   Explanation: What’s creating this giant hole in space? This is not a
   [4]black hole — it’s a shadow. It’s [5]Earth’s shadow. Since at least
   the time of [6]Aristotle, people have noted that [7]Earth's dark shadow
   on the Moon during a partial [8]lunar eclipse is circular -- although
   never a [9]whole circle. Using [10]modern digital technology, though,
   the images of multiple [11]lunar eclipses can be combined to show
   Earth's complete shadow. The [12]featured image compilation by a
   perseistent astrophotographer is constructed from 22 years of lunar
   eclipses. [13]The Moon is not eclipsed every month ([14]moon-th)
   because the [15]Moon's orbit is [16]slightly tilted relative to Earth's
   orbit. Close inspection of some lunar eclipse images shows a [17]faint
   [18]blue [19]band where [20]Earth’s atmosphere filters out more red
   sunlight than blue. Later this week, a [21]new lunar eclipse will occur
   and will be [22]best visible in parts of North and South America,
   Europe, and Africa.

       APOD's main NASA site is [23]moving : From [24]apod.nasa.gov to
                          [25]science.nasa.gov/apod
                     Tomorrow's picture: lion head space
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    Authors & editors: [37]Robert Nemiroff ([38]MTU) & [39]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([40]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [41]Specific rights apply.
            [42]NASA Web Privacy, [43]Accessibility, [44]Notices;
                A service of: [45]ASD at [46]NASA / [47]GSFC,
                         [48]NASA Science Activation
                           & [49]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2608/EarthShadow_Martin_4000.jpg
   3. https://www.elon.edu/u/directory/profile/tmartin24/
   4. https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/
   5. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080820.html
   6. https://iep.utm.edu/aristotle/
   7. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/diagram-of-umbra-penumbra/
   8. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en/
   9. https://www.geogebra.org/m/k43yRhne
  10. https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~viettran/images/computerold.jpg
  11. https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2026-march-1-the-moon-during-a-total-lunar-eclipse/
  12. https://www.facebook.com/groups/102812519755531/posts/4499680406735365/
  13. https://science.nasa.gov/moon/
  14. https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/whats-name-months-year
  15. https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5326/
  16. https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2026/01/23/12/21/hairless-dog-10084356_1280.jpg
  17. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250911.html
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250325.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap211201.html
  20. https://www.nasa.gov/general/what-is-earths-atmosphere/
  21. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/whats-up-august-2026-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/
  22. https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/psd/solar-system/skywatching/2026/august/20260717 Whats Up August 2026 WHATSUp_11.jpg
  23. https://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php?t=45023
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/
  25. https://science.nasa.gov/apod
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260824.html
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  29. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  30. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  31. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  32. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  33. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  34. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  35. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=260825
  36. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260826.html
  37. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/department/faculty/nemiroff/
  38. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/
  39. https://inspirehep.net/authors/1073087
  40. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  41. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  42. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  43. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  44. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  45. https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/astrophysics/
  46. https://www.nasa.gov/
  47. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  48. https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/
  49. http://www.mtu.edu/