Planetary Picture of the Day
Week of May 2, 2022
Amazing images + Space Telescopes, IR and Exoplanet Imaging.
Monday, May 2, 2022
Credit: NASA/Andras Gaspar
Evolution of IR Space Telescopes
Ordered by resolution, these three images show the progress made in infrared space telescopes, from WISE (left) to Spitzer (middle) to JWST (right). Note: WISE did not come before Spitzer, but as it was an all-sky survey telescope, its resolution was intentionally smaller than Spitzer's.
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
CREDIT: T. Currie/Subaru Telescope
Advances in Exoplanet Imaging
This image of the star AB Aurigae, taken by the Subaru Telescope, shows the spiral arms in the disk and the newly-discovered protoplanet AB Aur b. The bright central star has been masked, and its location is indicated by the star mark (☆). The size of Neptune’s orbit in the Solar System is shown for scale.
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS
Processing & License: Thomas Thomopoulos
Shadow of the Moon
Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon, projects its shadow on the gas giant. Ganymede is also the largest moon in the solar system with a diameter of 5,268 km (3,273 mi). This image was captured by the Juno spacecraft.
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Credit: Mike Mezeul II Photography
Night Over Kīlauea
This single image majestically captures pahoehoe lava flows from Kīlauea while the Milky Way, Moon, Venus, Mars, and even an iridium flare shine above in the night sky.
Friday, May 6, 2022
Credit: Sebastian Tirtirau
Planetary Alignment
The recent planetary alignment enabled this image of five planets - Earth, Mars, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter - as seen from somewhere in Africa at 4 am local time.
