APOD: Planets, Endeavour at Dawn (2011 May 21)

[APOD Robot]

Planets, Endeavour at Dawn

Explanation: When dawn broke over Kennedy Space Center on Monday, May 16, the space shuttle orbiter Endeavour still stood on pad 39A. Its final launch, on mission STS-134 to the International Space Station, was only hours away. Shining through the early morning twilight four planets were also poised above the eastern horizon, a moving scene captured here from across the Banana River at the center's Saturn V VIP viewing site. Scattered by planet Earth's dense atmosphere, floodlight beams play over the launch pad, glancing skyward toward the celestial beacons. Jupiter is highest, near the top of the frame, but even the solar sytem's ruling gas giant is outshone by brilliant Venus near picture center. Innermost planet Mercury is below Venus, to the right. Below and left, Mars almost fades into the twilight glow. The four planets continue to hug the eastern horizon at dawn throughout the month, while Endeavour is now scheduled to make its final approach to planet Earth on June 1.

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[moonstruck]

Everybody better look quick. The world ends today at 6:00PM Eastern Standard Time.

[biddie67]

Is the U.S. going to have any vehicle of any kind that will be able to reach and return from the ISS when there are no more shuttle flights?

[orin stepanek]

They may have tao hitch a ride. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ... uFeigmRs4A

[neufer]

Is the U.S. going to have any vehicle of any kind that will be able to reach
and return from the ISS when there are no more shuttle flights?

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[rstevenson]

Is the U.S. going to have any vehicle of any kind that will be able to reach and return from the ISS when there are no more shuttle flights?

Rob

[trekman]

Ok, Ive always wondered when looking at pics like the one in todays email "Planets, Endeavour at Dawn" and other pics of the planets in the darkness. Why do they shine/glow or whatever you want to call it? I mean if it hadnt been pointed out for me I would have just thought they were stars. What makes them shine like stars, so that we can see them?

I hope im not asking stupid or obvious questions. I really dont know anything about it.

[owlice]

The sun is shining on them, just as it does the Earth and moon, and the planets reflect the light, just as the Earth and moon do.

Is the "trek" in your name for the brand of bike, perchance?

[trekman]

Thanks. No not a bike Im afraid. Im a big fan of Star Trek.

[biddie67]

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Mad Ludwig’s flying car.jpg

((grin)) if only it could be that simple .....

[fluxx]

this is how so called planets and stars are projected onto the sky huh! The Truman show!