{
  "id": 8605776,
  "title": "APOD: 2026 September 20 – Analemma over the Callanish Stones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/apod-2026-september-20-analemma-over-the-callanish-stones",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-20T04:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2026-september-20-analemma-over-the-callanish-stones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 20, 2026, the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) featured an analemma over the Callanish Stones. An analemma is a composite image taken from the same spot at the same time over the course of a year, showcasing the Sun's position relative to Earth. The photograph was captured near the village of Callanish in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, where the ancient stone circle known as the Callanish Stones stands. These stones were erected around 2700 BC during the Bronze Age, but the purpose behind their placement remains unknown. The Sun's position in the analemma is influenced by the tilt of Earth's axis and the elliptical shape of its orbit around the Sun. At solstices, the Sun appears at the top or bottom of the analemma, while at equinoxes, it is positioned at the middle. The featured image was taken near the December solstice, placing the Sun near the bottom of the image. The next equinox will occur in two days, marking a day of equal daylight and darkness worldwide. As the APOD's primary NASA site transitions to science.nasa.gov/apod, today's image was captured by Giuseppe Petricca, with writing contributions from Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, and Keighley Rockcliffe.",
  "summary": "The post APOD: 2026 September 20 – Analemma over the Callanish Stones appeared first on NASA Science .",
  "key_points": [
    "Analemma captured over Callanish Stones on September 20, 2026",
    "Photograph taken near village of Callanish, Scotland",
    "Callanish Stones erected around 2700 BC during Bronze Age"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The analemma over the Callanish Stones image showcases Earth's axial tilt and orbital shape effects on the Sun's position, highlighting celestial mechanics influencing our planet's seasonal changes.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA",
        "title": "APOD: 2026 September 20 – Analemma over the Callanish Stones",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/apod-2026-september-20-analemma-over-the-callanish-stones-8612245",
        "published": "2026-09-20T04:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}