{
  "id": 17004407,
  "title": "APOD: 29 October 2026 – The Horns of Venus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/apod-29-october-2026-the-horns-of-venus",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-29T04:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-29-october-2026-the-horns-of-venus/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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\".\n\nThis 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.",
  "summary": "The post APOD: 29 October 2026 – The Horns of Venus appeared first on NASA Science .",
  "key_points": [
    "Venus appears almost directly between Sun and Earth, resembling crescent Moon",
    "Backlit atmosphere creates glowing crescent arc with \"horns\"",
    "Ancient Babylonian astronomers studied Venus' brightness changes"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The recurring alignment of Venus between the Sun and Earth provides a rare visual demonstration of how atmospheric refraction creates distinct glowing crescents for observers on our planet.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}