Q150359
Also known as (292) Ludovica, Ludovica
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.
© Marek Nikodem (PPSAE) · via NASA APOD
Key facts
- Discovered by
- Johann Palisa
- Discovery date
- 25 April 1890
- Alternative designations
- A890 HB, 1930 GM
- Minor planet category
- Main belt
- Observation arc
- 124.62 yr (45516 d)
- Aphelion
- 2.61652 AU (391.426 Gm )
Article
292 Ludovica is a main belt asteroid. It was discovered by the Austrian astronomer Johann Palisa on 25 April 1890 in Vienna. The reason for this name selection is unknown.
Photometric data collected during 2010 was used to produce a light curve for 292 Ludovica, revealing a rotation period of 8.90±0.05 h with a brightness variation of 0.35±0.05 in magnitude. This result is consistent with previous studies.