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.

2024 September 28
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

Rocket Eclipse at Sunset
Image Credit & Copyright: Ben Cooper (Launch Photography)

Explanation: Shockwaves ripple across the glare as a launch eclipses the setting Sun in this exciting close-up. Captured on September 17, the roaring Falcon 9 rocket carried European Galileo L13 navigation satellites to medium Earth orbit after a lift-off from Cape Canaveral on Florida's space coast. The Falcon 9 booster returned safely to Earth about 8.5 minutes later, notching the 22nd launch and landing for the reuseable workhorse launch vehicle. But where did it land? Just Read The Instructions.

Tomorrow's picture: seven dusty sisters

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