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Credit & Copyright: Tunc Tezel
(TWAN)
Explanation:
As Mars
wanders through Earth's night,
it passes about 5 degrees south of the Pleiades
star cluster in this composite astrophoto.
The skyview was constructed from a series of images
captured over a run of 16 consecutive clear nights
beginning on July 12.
Mars'
march
across the field of view begins
at the far right, the planet's ruddy hue.
showing a nice contrast with the blue Pleiades stars.
Moving much faster across the sky against the distant stars,
the fourth planet
from the Sun
easily passes seventh planet Uranus,
also moving across this field of view.
Red planet Mars and the ice giant world were in close conjunction,
about 1/2 degree apart, on July 16.
Continuing its rapid eastward trek, Mars has now left the sister stars
and outer planet behind though,
passing north of red giant star Aldebaran.
Mars will come within about 1/3 degree of Jupiter in
planet
Earth's sky
on August 14.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day