                        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.

                                2023 March 15
      Two bright objects appear in a sky over a hill. On the hill, the
    silhouettes of several people are visible, including a person looking
   though a telescope and what appears to be two children looking upward.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                   Jupiter and Venus Converge over Germany
          Image Credit & Copyright: Michael Luy (Trier Observatory)

   Explanation: This was a sky to show the kids. Early this month the two
   brightest planets in the night sky, Jupiter and Venus, appeared to
   converge. At their closest, the two planets were separated by only
   about the angular width of the full moon. The spectacle occurred just
   after sunset and was seen and photographed all across planet Earth. The
   displayed image was taken near to the time of closest approach from
   Wiltingen, Germany, and features the astrophotographer, spouse, and
   their two children. Of course, Venus remains much closer to both the
   Sun and the Earth than Jupiter -- the apparent closeness between the
   planets in the sky of Earth was only angular. Jupiter and Venus have
   passed and now appear increasingly far apart. Similar planetary
   convergence opportunities will eventually arise. In a few months, for
   example, Mars and Venus will appear to congregate just as the Sun sets.

      Jupiter & Venus Conjunction Gallery: Notable Submissions to APOD
                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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