December 6, 2008
Another birthday means another year in which the universe got to experience itself through your particular combination of wonder and will.
Lunar Diamond
Birthday · December 6, 2008
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published December 6, 2008. Credit: Deirdre Kelleghan. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Cameras around the globe pointed skyward this week to capture the spectacular conjunction of a crescent Moon and bright planets Venus and Jupiter. But astronomer-artist Deirdre Kelleghan recorded her observations in sketches of the celestial event. From Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland, her small telescope allowed her to follow the accompanying lunar occultation as a brilliant Venus disappeared behind the Moon's dark edge, then reappeared along the bright lunar limb. Her lovely drawing of the reemergence of Venus was made with pastels and conte crayons on A3 size paper under very cold conditions. She remarks, "The view as Venus once again sparkled like a diamond stuck on the moon was stunning."
Image credit: Deirdre Kelleghan