Pictures about space features in the Planetary Society email magazine “The Downlink”
SUN RAYS ON MARS NASA’s Curiosity rover recently captured this image of the setting sun’s rays shining through iridescent clouds high in the Martian atmosphere. Although we see rays like this all the time on Earth around dawn and dusk, it was the first time that the phenomenon (also known as sunbeams or crepuscular rays) has been seen so clearly on Mars. February 2, 2023 (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
Although crepuscular rays are a common sight on Earth, we don’t often get to see them from this perspective. In this image captured from aboard the International Space Station in 2011, you can see how clouds blocking the setting Sun’s light create alternating shadows and beams of sunlight. Image credit: NASA.
It’s not every day you can plan to photograph an asteroid streaking through the sky. This meter-sized asteroid was spotted by Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky only a few hours before it collided with our planet on Feb. 13, giving Dutch photographer Gijs de Reijke enough time to travel to the predicted location of impact and set up for the perfect shot. Image credit: Gijs de Reijke.
The concept of this picture is just amazing. First to find the asteroid. Second to report it quickly to the world. Third for a photographer to be ready and get where they can take the picture. Fourth to actual get the picture. Total Geeking this picture.
Oh yes, now I’m geeking on that last picture, too. That is a lot of moving parts for it to happen. Great images. I am fascinated by space.