A Zodiacal Skyscape

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A Zodiacal Skyscape
Image Credit & Copyright: Jack Fusco

Explanation: Venus and Jupiter are this month's two brightest planets. Shortly after sunset on February 20, they dominate the sky above the western horizon and this snowy landscape. In clear and transparent skies over Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, USA, they are also seen immersed in Zodiacal light. The extended, diffuse, triangular glow is sunlight scattered by dust along the plane of the ecliptic. Brighter near the horizon, the Zodiacal glow angles upward, first to Venus and then to Jupiter hugging the ecliptic as they orbit the Sun. Fading even further, the glow stretches toward the lovely Pleides star cluster near the top of the frame. Following their appearance in this Zodiacal skyscape, the coming days will see Venus and Jupiter sharing the early evening sky with a young crescent Moon. The two bright planets are even headed for a close pairing or conjunction, separated by about 3 degrees on March 13.

Today In History For February 23rd

Highlights of this day in history: The American flag is raised on Iwo Jima during World War II; Start of the Persian Gulf War's ground offensive; Dolly the cloned sheep; Comedian Stan Laurel dies; Carlos Santana wins big at the Grammys.

Green Overdrive: A Fisker Karma Test Drive

We take the eco-friendly luxury sports car for a spin.

Lone Pine Symbolizes Japan Hopes

Pine trees which survived the quake and tsunami that ravaged northern Japan last March become symbols of hope and resilience. Chris Meyers reports.

The 5-Year-Old Skydiver

This pint-sized-daredevil displays the courage of a grown man as he jumps from a plane 14,000ft above the skies of Mexico. Taken in 2008, then five-year-old Alan Lachman fulfilled a life-long dream when his father allowed him to tandem jump with family friend and legendary skydiver Antonio Montano from the small propeller driven aircraft. Leaving nothing to chance, Alan and his father Aaron, who is a pilot, spent months planning the jump, double-checking everything from the reserve parachute to the safety harnesses that the young boy would rely on. Making that jump in 2008, Alan, now aged seven is busy planning his next ascent into the skies.