Discover the Enigmatic Analemma Above the Callanish Stones: September 20, 2026

Embark on a journey through the cosmos with the Astronomy Picture of the Day, a daily showcase of captivating images from our universe, each accompanied by a concise explanation crafted by a professional astronomer.

Exploring the Analemma over the Callanish Stones

Have you ever wondered how the Sun’s position shifts throughout the year if you were to photograph it at the same time each day? The answer lies in the concept of an analemma, which is a composite image illustrating this phenomenon. The featured analemma was created from photographs taken every few days at midday near the village of Callanish, located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. In the foreground of this striking image are the Callanish Stones, a Neolithic stone circle constructed around 2700 BC during the Bronze Age. While the exact purpose of these stones remains uncertain, their placement may hold astronomical significance.

The distinctive figure-eight shape of the analemma is primarily influenced by the tilt of the Earth’s axis and the elliptical nature of its orbit around the Sun. At the solstices, the Sun is positioned at either the top or bottom of the analemma, while the equinoxes correspond to the midpoints of this visual representation. The current image was captured near the December solstice, which is reflected in the Sun’s position towards the lower part of the analemma. In just two days, the world will experience an equinox, a moment when day and night are of equal length globally. Many cultures commemorate this transition as a significant seasonal change.

Important Updates and Future Features

The main NASA site for the Astronomy Picture of the Day is undergoing a transition, moving from its previous address at apod.nasa.gov to the new site at science.nasa.gov/apod. This change aims to enhance accessibility and provide a more enriched experience for astronomy enthusiasts and the general public alike.

Looking ahead, tomorrow’s image promises to unveil the beauty of open space, inviting viewers to continue their exploration of the universe. Stay tuned for the next breathtaking celestial capture.

Date of the featured image: September 20, 2026.

Credit and copyright for this image go to Giuseppe Petricca, with contributions from authors and editors Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, and Keighley Rockcliffe. This initiative is a proud service of the Astrophysics Science Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, in collaboration with NASA Science Activation and Michigan Technological University.

For those curious about yesterday’s offering, the Astronomy Picture of the Day for September 19, 2026, was titled “A Zodiacal Night.” Stay engaged with this remarkable series to deepen your appreciation of the wonders that lie beyond our planet.