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.

2006 September 30
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

STS-115: Stereo Portrait
Credit: Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, STS-115 Mission, NASA - Stereo Anaglyph: Patrick Vantuyne

Explanation: On September 12, astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper snapped photos of her colleague Joseph Tanner during the STS-115 mission. At the time, the spacesuited pair were working outside the shuttle orbiter Atlantis, some 300 kilometers above planet Earth. Portions of two of the pictures (S115-E-05750 and S115-E-05753) have been combined in this spectacular 3D image - a stereo anaglyph intended to be viewed with red/blue glasses. Included in the scene reflected in Tanner's visor is Stefanyshyn-Piper herself and the Sun shining above the Earth's distant horizon.

Tomorrow's picture: Sunday Night

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