Mystery Planetary Conjunction

[Phoenix]

Hi Folks

Anyone up for a challenge?

Found this photo I took about an hour after sunset, many years ago. I can't find this planet conjunction in Stellarium. I thought it was Mars, Venus and Jupiter (top to bottom). But now I am not too sure (perhaps one is a star?). The photo was taken from the suburb of Skye (if I recall) looking west over Adelaide. Perhaps taken in early 1990s? I am sure it was taken more than 20 years ago. I have another conjunction photo of the Moon, Venus, Mars and Jupiter taken on November 24, 1995 (different orientation). And I thought the attached photo was taken around the same time. Not important, but it's becoming a source of frustration.... :shrug:. Any ideas? Perhaps I am not reading stellarium correctly? Thanks.

Cheers
Steve

[Screwdriverone]

Hi Steve,

Using google sky map on my tablet, with time travel and set to Adelaide, I think you have around 11th Nov 1995 with Venus, Mars, and Jupiter conjunction. I have attached a screen shot from the program.....looking west etc.

Is this it?

Cheers

Chris

[Screwdriverone]

Hmm, looks like it is more around the 16th, screenshot attached.

Chris

[Phoenix]

Thank you super sleuth Chris - much appreciated. However, I get the configuration attached on 16 Nov 1995 in Stellarium. In my photo, 'Mars' is directly above 'Venus' (at 12 o'clock) - or Jupiter. In Stellarium (image attached) 'Mars' is at about 10 o'clock. Also, Venus should be brightest at -3.3 magnitude while Jupiter is at -1.3. Perhaps Stellarium is not as accurate or am I nit picking?

Cheers

[Phoenix]

See photos below taken on Nov 24, 1995 - planet orientation / positions seem to be in agreement with Stellarium only a few days from the 16th (re proposed date of mystery conjunction). Perhaps best left as a mystery :shrug:.

Cheers
Steve

[deanm]

Steve - are you sure your photo was taken from Skye?

It looks uncannily like Windy Point to my eye.

Dean

[Phoenix]

Hi Dean

No not entirely sure, but I took a lot of photos from Skye while I lived out that side of town at the time. I now live just around the corner from windy point, but don't recall taking any astro photos from here. I doubt the orientation of the planets will differ from either location. I'm confident the city center is to the left of this photo and I'm looking west over the northern plains of Adelaide - I could be wrong though.

Cheers
Steve

[smader]

A quick check with my "planets" script below indicates Mars, Jupiter and Venus for Adelaide, 16th Nov 1995...

http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/cgi-bin/utilities/planets.cgi