Astronomy Picture of the Day

    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.

                               2020 August 13

             Jupiter and Saturn Rising Beyond Alien Throne Rock
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Marcin Zajac

   Explanation: What planets are those behind that unusual rock spire?
   Saturn (lower left) and Jupiter.  This month, after sunset, the bright
   planetary duo are quite prominent toward the southeast.  Now your view
   of our Solar System's largest planets might not include a picturesque
   hoodoo in the foreground, nor the spectacular central band of our Milky
   Way Galaxy across the background, but should be quite eye-catching
   anyway.  The featured image is a composite of consecutive foreground
   and background exposures all taken in late May with the same camera and
   from the same location -- the badlands of the  Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah
   Wilderness in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico, USA.  The rock spire,
   informally dubbed 'Alien Throne', stands about 3 meters tall. Saturn
   and Jupiter will remain visible together after sunset for several
   months.

                         Tomorrow's picture: Space S
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