Suggested Searches

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 picture shows the planet Neptune and its moon Triton, both in crescent phases, as captured by the passing Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1989. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

Crescent Neptune and Triton

Explanation: Gliding through the outer Solar System , in 1989 the Voyager 2 spacecraft looked toward the Sun to find this view of most distant planet Neptune and its moon Triton together in a crescent phase. The elegant image of ice-giant planet and largest moon was taken from behind just after Voyager's closest approach . It could not have been taken from Earth because the most distant planet never shows a crescent phase to sunward eyes . Heading for the heliopause and beyond , the spacecraft's parting vantage point also robs Neptune of its familiar blue hue .

Date May 27, 2023
Credit Image Credit: NASA , Voyager 2
Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U.