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Moon, Jupiter and Praesepe cluster (M44)
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Moon, Jupiter and Praesepe cluster (M44)
Moon, Jupiter and Praesepe cluster (M44), optical image. High clouds in the upper part of the image are illuminated by the waning crescent Moon. The rest of the Moon is illuminated by " Earthshine", sunlight reflected back onto the Moon from the Earth. The planet Jupiter is at lower right. Its four brightest moons, called Galilean moons after their discoverer Galileo, are seen in a near- vertical line around it. From top to bottom they are Ganymede, Io, Europa and Callisto. The stars at centre are part of the open cluster Praesepe, or the Beehive (M44), in the constellation Cancer. This large cluster contains up to 350 stars, and lies around 577 light years from Earth. Photographed on 4th September 2002
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Media ID 1694509
© RUSSELL CROMAN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
2002 Bee Hive Callisto Cloud Clouds Cloudy Conjunction Earth Shine Europa Galilean Moons Ganymede Gas Giant Jupiter Moon Night Sky Open Cluster Planetary Solar System Star Cluster Stars Praesepe
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This breathtaking print captures a celestial spectacle that occurred on September 4th, 2002. The image showcases the harmonious alignment of the Moon, Jupiter, and the Praesepe cluster (M44) against a backdrop of high clouds illuminated by the waning crescent Moon. What makes this photograph even more captivating is the ethereal glow known as "Earthshine" illuminating the rest of the Moon. Earthshine occurs when sunlight reflects off our planet and bounces back onto the lunar surface. In this composition, Jupiter takes its place at lower right, radiating its majestic presence. Surrounding this gas giant are its four brightest moons: Ganymede, Io, Europa, and Callisto. These Galilean moons were named after their discoverer Galileo and can be seen forming a near-vertical line around Jupiter. At center stage lies an open star cluster called Praesepe or commonly referred to as "The Beehive". This magnificent cluster contains up to 350 stars and resides approximately 577 light years away from Earth in the constellation Cancer. This awe-inspiring snapshot not only offers a glimpse into our solar system's wonders but also serves as a reminder of humanity's fascination with space exploration and astronomical phenomena. It encapsulates both scientific curiosity and artistic beauty in one frame—a testament to mankind's ceaseless quest for knowledge about our universe beyond what meets the eye.
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