![Two Planets and Two Pyramids - by: Aymen Ibrahem (Canon Camera, Kodak Ultra 400 film, 3 second exposure)](NewsImages\3_image001.jpg)
Fig (1)
Venus and Jupiter over the Pyramids and the
Sphinx (2 September 2005)
Photo by Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem, PSC, Senior
Astronomy Specialist
In late August 2005, Jupiter, the largest planet, and Venus, the brightest
planet, were approaching each other in the evening sky. On 2 September 2005,
the apparent distance between Jupiter and Venus was the smallest in 2005. The
view was spectacular! The two planets appeared as two brilliant white stars,
shining above the western horizon.
There was no fear of collision between Jupiter and Venus; each planet was
moving in its orbit around the Sun, but they just happened to be near our line
of sight. This phenomenon is termed a planetary conjunction.
![Planets and Palm Trees - by: Aymen Ibrahem (Canon Camera, Kodak Ultra 400 film, 1 second exposure)](NewsImages\2_image002.jpg)
Fig (2)
The Moon, Venus, Jupiter over Alexandria, Egypt
Photo by Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem, PSC, Senior
Astronomy Specialist
Mr Aymen Ibrahem, PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist, photographed this
dazzling conjunction on several occasions in late August and early September.
He took the pictures in Alexandria, Giza and Luxor, and named the collection of
pictures "The King and Queen of Planets". Several of these pictures
were published by American and European publishers.
![javascript:; Click to view full size image](NewsImages\2_image003.jpg)
Fig (3)
Two Planets and Pharaoh
The photo shows the Venus-Jupiter conjunction over
the Luxor Temple, Luxor, Egypt. The colossal statue in the foreground is of
King Ramesses the Great (1279-1213 BCE).
The photo is unique as it is the first publication
of an image of Venus and Jupiter over the great temple.
Photo by Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem, PSC, Senior
Astronomy Specialist
Further reading
The King and the Messenger
http://www.bibalex.org/Eclipse2006/News_Details.aspx?id=74
Mars photos
http://www.bibalex.org/Eclipse2006/News_Details.aspx?id=70
Planets dazzle Alexandria
http://www.bibalex.org/Eclipse2006/News_Details.aspx?id=61
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist