Credit & Copyright: Tianyao Yang
Explanation:
WhatÁs that near the Moon?
ItÁs the
International Space Station (ISS).
Although the
ISS may appear to be physically near the
Moon, it is not Á it is physically near the
Earth.
In low Earth orbit and circulating around our
big blue marble about every 90 minutes,
the ISS was captured photographically
as it crossed nearly
in front of the Moon.
The Moon, itself in a month-long orbit around the Earth,
shows a crescent phase as only a curving sliver of its
Sun-illuminated half is visible from the Earth.
The featured image was taken in late March from
Shanghai,
China
and shows not only details of Earth's largest human-made satellite,
but details of the cratered and barren surface of Earth's largest natural satellite.
Over the next few years, humanity is planning to send
more people and machines to the
Moon than ever before.
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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 - ISS
Publications with words: Moon - ISS
See also: