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Credit & Copyright: Fabrizio Melandri
Explanation:
Fans of the western sky
after sunset have lately enjoyed this month's
remarkable array of bright planets.
Witnessed from some
locations, on February 18
planet Mercury even appeared to slide
behind the Moon, an event known as a lunar occultation.
These two snapshots, taken in early evening skies
show before and after telescopic views of the rare disappearance of
innermost planet
behind young Moon.
The top panel finds bright Mercury just visible at
the northern (right) edge of the
earthshine-illuminated
lunar disk.
In the bottom panel the bright planet has emerged in
darker skies beyond the Moon's sunlit crescent.
As seen south of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, planet Earth,
this lunar occultation of Mercury lasted only about 3 minutes
(video).
But you can still check out a parade of
planets tonight.
March 3: Total
Lunar Eclipse
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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: occultation
Publications with words: occultation
See also: