NASA’s Pic of the day: Planets Over Stonehenge
Credit & Copyright: Philip Perkins
Explanation: Stonehenge, four thousand year old monument to the Sun, provides an appropriate setting for this delightful
snapshot of the Sun's children gathering in planet Earth's sky. While the massive stone structure dates from around 2000
B.C., this arrangement of the visible planets was recorded only a few days ago on the evening of May 4th, 2002 A.D.
Bright Jupiter stands highest above the horizon at the upper left. A remarkable, almost equilateral triangle formed by
Saturn (left), Mars (top), and Venus (right) is placed just above the stones near picture center. Fighting the glow of
the setting sun, Mercury can be spotted closest to the horizon, below and right of the planetary triad. Still easy to
enjoy for casual sky gazers, this photogenic and slowly shifting planetary grouping will be joined by a young crescent
Moon beginning Monday, May 13.