The Earth-Moon System
Picture Credit: NASA, JPL, Galileo Project
Discover the cosmos! Each day we feature a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
June 29, 1995
The Earth-Moon System
Picture Credit: NASA, JPL, Galileo Project
Explanation: A double planet? From 4 million miles away on December 16, 1992, NASA's robot spacecraft Galileo took this picture of the Earth-moon system. The bright, sunlit half of the Earth contrasts strongly with the darker subdued colors of the moon. Our moon is one of the largest moons in the solar system. It is even larger than the planet Pluto. In this picture, the Earth-moon system actually appears to be a double planet.
For more information see NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory press release.