                        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.

                                2025 June 18
     A detailed view of part of Earth's Moon is shown with many craters
     visible. On the lower right, silhouetted against the comparatively
     bright Moon, is a small dark silhouette of the International Space
      Station. Many of the solar panels on the station are discernable.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                    Space Station Silhouette on the Moon
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Eric Holland

   Explanation: What's that unusual spot on the Moon? It's the
   International Space Station. Using precise timing, the Earth-orbiting
   space platform was photographed in front of a partially lit gibbous
   Moon in 2019. The featured image was taken from Palo Alto, California,
   USA with an exposure time of only 1/667 of a second. In contrast, the
   duration of the transit of the ISS across the entire Moon was about
   half a second. A close inspection of this unusually crisp ISS
   silhouette will reveal the outlines of numerous solar panels and
   trusses. The bright crater Tycho is visible on the lower left, as well
   as comparatively rough, light colored terrain known as highlands and
   relatively smooth, dark colored areas known as maria. Downloadable apps
   can tell you when the International Space Station will be visible from
   your area.

       APOD Turns 30!: Free Public Lecture in Cork, Ireland on June 24
                   Tomorrow's picture: galaxy in a bubble
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
                  NASA Web Privacy, Accessibility, Notices;
                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

