Four Planets and Crescent Moon Evening Conjunction - August 12-13, 2010
Hi all
We're in for a treat on August 12th and 13th when the crescent Moon joins four planets for a beautiful display in the West, just after sunset.
From late July through to late August, four planets have been visible in the evening sky. Venus, Mars and Saturn have been forming a triangle while Mercury has been a bit lower in the sky. It's been fantastic watching the planets each evening in the twilight glow.
When they are joined by the Crescent Moon with earthshine visible it's going to be a unique visual and photographic experience for everyone - so make sure you head on out to take a look.
Mike, can you please do a picture for Wednesday August 11th at Sunset?
According to this graph we should be able to see it In Australia on Wednesday naked eye. http://moonsighting.com/visibilitycu..._8-11-2010.gif
But it would be nice to get a screenshot as you have done for 12th and 13ths to show us were to look for it.
Mike, can you please do a picture for Wednesday August 11th at Sunset?
According to this graph we should be able to see it In Australia on Wednesday naked eye. http://moonsighting.com/visibilitycu..._8-11-2010.gif
But it would be nice to get a screenshot as you have done for 12th and 13ths to show us were to look for it.
Hi Fahim
Looks like it might be possible.. attached.
Thanks Mike I also got Stellarium running and it helped lot in spotting it today, intially with binoculars and then by naked eye. Get out there and see it if your in Sydney its beautiful site to behold.
Focus seems a bit off. I guess infinity isn't infinity. Taken from across the road from Oakhill College, Castle Hill
Edit: From the Exif data:
Date/Time Original : 2010:08:11 18:21:29
Make : SONY
Camera Model Name : DSLR-A200
Lens Type : Minolta/Sony AF DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 (D)
Exposure Time : 6
F Number : 4.5
ISO : 400
Focal Length : 24.0 mm
Last edited by mithrandir; 11-08-2010 at 10:07 PM.
Reason: Add image data
Andrew, thats awesome what lens and settings did you use. I am just up behind the Castle Hill Anglican Retirement Village so taken from my Balcony.
I wish i could have got the focus better on the shot with the plane in it.
Andrew, thats awesome what lens and settings did you use. I am just up behind the Castle Hill Anglican Retirement Village so taken from my Balcony.
I wish i could have got the focus better on the shot with the plane in it.
Assuming all goes well I'll be back tomorrow at around 18:00. There is a small car park at the top of Old Castle Hill Rd.
I saw the plane, but considered it spoiled the image, so didn't take it.
It was quite amazing the night before, with the whole of the valley shrouded in mist, and Venus, Saturn and Mars visible, but I hadn't taken the camera with me.
Andrew, I would join you as I know the spot quiet well but not sure i will make it there in time tomorrow evening. I have often drove past it and wondered that would make a nice setup point for times like these. Comet Mcnaught would have been nice from there. BTW dont know if they still do it but there is an Astronomy group that meets up at the a Poney Club down in that valey. I never got around to going there, but i am told they have some very nice dark skies from down there. Ken who is a member here started it up. Very nice guy had the oppertunity to meet him in person at his home once.
This crescent marks the begining of Ramdan (fasting sunrise to sunset for a month) for us so sunset is a busy time and I will be lucky to get home in time for it to start with, let alone get away there after. Hence I did my best to catch it today. I actually enjoyed doing something with Astronomy today, its rare since we had our first baby for me to get some time out for Astronomy. So I will take what I can get. I will try to catch it from my balcony again, which overseas the area quiet well. But catching the planets today would have been tricky as the moon was bellow my neghbours rooftop by the time the other planets were visable.
