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Credit & Copyright: Dani Caxete
Explanation:
What's that in front of the Moon?
It's the International Space Station.
Using precise timing, the
Earth-orbiting space platform
was photographed in front of a partially lit Moon last year.
The featured image was taken from
Madrid,
Spain
with an exposure time of only 1/1000 of a second.
In contrast, the duration of the transit of the
ISS across the entire Moon was about
half a second.
The sun-glinting
station can be seen
just to the dark side of the day / night line known as the
terminator.
Numerous circular
craters
are visible on the distant Moon, as well as comparatively rough,
light colored terrain known as
highlands, and relatively smooth, dark colored areas known as
maria.
On-line
tools can tell you when the International
Space Station will be visible from your area.
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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: international space station - Moon
Publications with words: international space station - Moon
See also: