Explanation:
This mesmerizing sunset photo was taken from the summit of volcanic
Mount Lawu,
3,265 meters above sea level, on July 21.
The view looks west, toward the city lights of
Surakarta
(aka Solo), Central Java, Indonesia.
Two other volcanic peaks, sharp Merapi (left) and Merbabu
lie along the colorful horizon.
Four planets shine in the twilight sky above them.
Spread out near the
plane of the ecliptic are
Mercury,
Venus,
Mars, and
Saturn, along with bright
Regulus, alpha star of the constellation Leo.
For help finding them, just put your cursor over the picture.
In fact, these four planets still shine in western skies at sunset,
with Venus, Mars, and Saturn
grouped much more tightly
this weekend and in
early August.
By August 12, a young crescent Moon will join
the four planet sunset.
