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.

2002 May 22 Moon and Planets by the Eiffel Tower Credit & Copyright: Thierry Legault

Explanation: The great evening grouping of planets is coming to an end. Before all the planets went their own separate directions, however, the Moon was kind enough to pose with some of them. The planets in the above picture, taken last week, are Venus and Jupiter. Mars, Saturn, and even Mercury appear to the lower right of Venus but are too dim to be seen. Over the next two weeks, the Moon will rise earlier and earlier passing a full phase on May 26. Venus and Jupiter will continue to shine, moving together until their closest approach on June 3. The Eiffel Tower, however, is expected to remain right where it is.