                        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.

                                2026 April 15
    The relatively small International Space Station sits atop the image,
      about to transit in front of the illuminated Moon. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                          The ISS Transits the Moon
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Sébastien Borie
         Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)

   Explanation: Nope, that is not an alien spaceship landing on the Moon!
   This is an image of the International Space Station (ISS) as it begins
   to transit in front of the Moon. The ISS is in low-Earth orbit (LEO)
   where it wizzes around the Earth every 90 minutes. Orbiting the Earth
   16 times per day for 25 years, the ISS has photobombed many familiar
   celestial objects including Venus, Mars, Saturn, and the Sun. Thousands
   of experiments led by researchers from over one hundred countries have
   been conducted on the ISS. Growing protein crystals in low-gravity was
   one of the first experiments onboard the ISS and continues to
   contribute to new medical treatments. ISS astronauts study plant
   growth, water recycling, human health, and more to support the Artemis
   missions which will take humans farther than they’ve ever gone before.
   Next time you are out and about at night, try to spot the ISS zooming
   across the sky!

                 Tomorrow's picture: the night sky in Brazil
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

