Daylight Duel: ISS and Venus Captured Together by AJ Smadi

Astrophotographer AJ Smadi captured a daytime image of the International Space Station passing Venus near Seattle on July 18, 2026, using a 9.25-inch Celestron SCT and a ZWO ASI662MC with UV/IR filters. The feat, achieved in daylight with careful planning, follows Smadi’s earlier success and echoes NASA’s recognition of his work in Astronomy Picture of the Day, highlighting how challenging and rare it is to photograph these two celestial bodies side-by-side in daylight.