Astrophotographer Captures Daylight Image of Venus and ISS
Astrophotographer A.J. Smadi has captured a rare daylight image of Venus appearing alongside the International Space Station (ISS). The photograph was taken on July 18, 2026, from a park near Seattle, Washington, using a 9.25-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope and a ZWO ASI662MC camera with ultraviolet and infrared filters. This achievement marks a continuation of Smadi's innovative work in astrophotography, following a similar photograph taken in 2025 that was selected by NASA as one of its Astronomy Photos of the Day. The image showcases the ISS traveling at approximately 4.6 miles per second, with Venus positioned about 84 million miles away.