Q114615

Also known as (676) Melitta, Melitta

main-belt asteroid

Picture of the Day · NASA

Jupiter and Venus from Earth

2026-06-07

It was visible around the world. The sunset conjunction of Jupiter (left) and Venus (right) in 2012 was visible almost no matter where you lived on Earth. Anyone on our planet with a clear western horizon at sunset could see them. That year, a creative photographer traveled away from the town lights of Szubin, Poland to photograph a near closest approach of the two planets. The bright planets were then separated by only three degrees and his daughter struck a humorous pose. A faint red sunset still glowed in the background. Jupiter and Venus are together again this week after sunset, passing within a degree of each other about two days from today.

Key facts

Discovered by: P. Melotte
Discovery site: Greenwich
Discovery date: 16 January 1909
Pronunciation: / m ɪ ˈ l ɪ t ə /
Alternative designations: 1909 FN
Observation arc: 107.22 yr (39162 d)

Article

676 Melitta is a minor planet orbiting the Sun. It is classified as a main belt asteroid. The name, Melitta, is the Attic Greek form of the name Melissa—a reference both to the nymph of ancient Greek mythology, and to the minor planet's discoverer, Melotte.

References