Love and War by Moonlight . ... Credit Copyright: Fred Espenak (courtesy of www.MrEclipse.com ) Explanation: Venus , named for the Roman goddess of love, and Mars , the war god's namesake, approach each other by moonlight in this lovely sky view recorded on May 14th from Dunkirk, Maryland, USA. The four second time exposure made in twilight with a digital camera also records earthshine illuminating the otherwise dark surface of the young crescent Moon. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...