The above image shows the sword of Dom Nuno Alvares Pereira appearing to pierce the waning crescent Moon. It was captured in Portel, Portugal a little before dawn on July 15, 2012. Image credit: Miguel Claro
Jupiter is to the upper right of the Moon (in conjunction), brilliant Venus is below Pereira’s sword and the Pleiades star cluster is at top. Pereira played a critical role in the 1383-1385 conflict that resulted in Portugal’s independence from Castile. His sword is turned downward as a sign of peace. See also yesterday’s Earth Science Picture of the Day.
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