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View Full Version here: : Streak: Until 2040


Octane
22-08-2010, 09:16 PM
On the 13th of August, the world witnessed a rather unique massing of planets in a very interesting formation. The Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Mercury conspired to create a very special display of nature's grace.

What we have here is an almost triad-like formation with Venus in the middle, the crescent Moon as the bright streaking comet to the left, Mars to the top of Venus and Saturn underneath. Not to forget Mercury, all the way down the bottom by its lonesome self.

My initial plan was to drive out to a location that I had scouted a couple of months beforehand which had a magnificent view to the west, uninhibited by man-made structures and/or light pollution. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it there and so had to settle for this less than ideal location. Having said that, I still managed to capture some natural landscape in the form of moss-covered stones and rocks in the foreground.

On this night, I managed to lose my footing as a strong gust of wind blew me over while I was squatting down monitoring an earlier exposure. I went for a 20-metre tumble down the hill luckily avoiding any serious injury to myself, and, relieved that I didn't collect my tripod or camera bag on the way down with me.

The centre left portion of the image is the Canberra CBD region of Civic with its disgusting light pollution. The tower in the distance is Telstra Tower situated on Black Mountain. As the crow flies, Telstra Tower is approximately 5 kilometres distant from my perspective. An optical effect (defect) has been created in this long exposure which has rendered the Moon to resemble a comet streaking down from the heavens. I guess I was very lucky to have some very high thin cloud streaking by at the time that allowed me to capture this scene in a unique way.

A formation with the planets this close together will not occur again until 2040.

Shot towards the end of astronomical twilight, on Mount Ainslie, Canberra.

Click here (http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/su2040.html) for a slightly larger resolution.

Click here (http://users.tpg.com.au/octane2/su2040_a.html) for an annotated version.

Comments, critique, etc., as always, most welcome.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
30s f/8.0 at 17.0mm iso3200

Thank you for looking.

H

desler
22-08-2010, 09:46 PM
Gee H, very special!


Glad you didn't hurt yourself! The things we do in the pursuit of pretty pictures! Every bit is worth it!



Darren

Quark
22-08-2010, 10:18 PM
Interesting view of some of our neighbors you have here H.
Reckon the go might be to rent one of those Sumo Suits when you go out in the field on imaging missions such as this. You may get mistaken for the Michelin Man but rolling down hills would be less dangerous.

Regards
Trevor

Omaroo
23-08-2010, 07:58 AM
Very nice Humayun! You didn't mention it this weekend. You're obviously OK, but... eek!

Great shot. I come to admire your talents more every day.

troypiggo
23-08-2010, 09:18 AM
Lovely foreground interest. You've handled the light pollution very well.

Glad you and, more importantly, your gear are alright. :)

John Hothersall
23-08-2010, 05:30 PM
Lovely vista with the mossy stones in foreground and city scape with stars and planets fighting the light poll'n - splendid effect.

John.

spearo
23-08-2010, 11:30 PM
colors came out beautiful
well done
H, that's why i make sure i don't lose too much weight...I don't want the wind to blow me over!
:]
frank

Clayton
24-08-2010, 07:11 PM
Very nice. One you won't forget!

Bassnut
24-08-2010, 07:38 PM
You never fail to amaze H, very different.

multiweb
24-08-2010, 08:37 PM
That's very nice. :thumbsup: Glad you're ok and the gear too.

spacezebra
24-08-2010, 10:32 PM
Absolutely Stunning!

What a capture H.

Cheers Petra d.

erick
24-08-2010, 11:55 PM
Turn those flamin' lights off! :D


The wind didn't shake the camera, H?

rcheshire
25-08-2010, 09:28 AM
The lights are great - Places the whole scene in context - I like it!