APOD: 29 October 2026 – The Horns of Venus
APOD Science APOD APOD: 29 October 2026 – The… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD 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. The Horns […]
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day, dated October 29, 2026, showcases an intriguing phenomenon related to the planet Venus. The feature explains that the image depicts Venus appearing almost directly between the Sun and the Earth, making it resemble a crescent Moon. However, unlike the Moon, Venus is notable for its phases.
The article highlights that this alignment occurs once every year and a half, similar to the new Moon alignment during a new Moon phase. Yet, unlike a new Moon, Venus' backlit atmosphere refracts and scatters sunlight, producing a glowing crescent arc. The tips of this arc are referred to as the "horns".
This celestial event is visible with a small telescope or binoculars during twilight hours, though those with exceptionally sharp vision might catch a glimpse of it with the naked eye. The article also notes that ancient Babylonian astronomers may have been the first to study the changes in Venus' brightness, which are linked to its phases. Various cultures, including the Maya, have documented similar astronomical records, with the oldest surviving Maya book being a testament to this.
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- APOD: 29 October 2026 – The Horns of Venus science.nasa.gov
