Gemini Dream

The (97% full waxing) moon and the nearby and prominent -2.17 magnitude planet Jupiter were inside the constellation Gemini high in the eastern sky during the night of Friday, January 30, 2026. The pairing of the moon and Jupiter was striking. Also in this image captured near Bowman Woods Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 8:08 pm CST are stars from Gemini. Left of the moon is the 1.90 magnitude star Castor, at lower left 1.15 magnitude Pollux, upper right of the moon 3.05 magnitude Mebsuta, right upper is 1.90 magnitude Alhena and at far right is 3.35 magnitude Alzirr. The moon was captured separately as a 1/250 second exposure at f/5, ISO 400, 36mm focal length; and Jupiter and the stars a one second exposure at f/5, ISO 400, 36mm focal length. Both images were composited into one. Air temperature was 8 degrees F. Nikon Z6ii camera.