Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Clouds scatter the faint orange rays of the setting sun in the foreground of this breathtaking photograph from the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii . Taken on April 7th, this skyscape features a dramatic lunar and planetary alignment . Red giant star Aldebaran is almost directly above the moon near the top of the image and the bright blue stars of the Pleiades cluster are visible about midway up and to the right of the moon-Aldebaran line. The good news is that planetary alignments like this one do not portend disasters, are relatively common, and can clearly make inspirational viewing for casual stargazers and astronomers alike.
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