Mercury, the Moon, Uranus and a Carbon Star

[luigi]

Hi!

I went to the coast to photograph the Moon-Mercury party.

Mercury is at maximum elongation and very favourable for people in the right side of the world (read: south).

The party location was the Circlet in Pisces, a very popular night club for the moon and planets as it's just over the ecliptic avenue.

The moon was just inside the circlet and Mercury was easy to see to the right, in some photos zooming and zooming it shows phase, even with a wide angle lens

Then the party went crazy.

Uranus joined the event between the Moon and Mercury, I never ever could get Uranus on binos but this time it was easy as it was in the middle of a chain of Pisces stars easy to follow with binos.

Finally I noticed a red "dot" just next to the moon. I thought it was a dead pixel but no, it was 19 Psc (AKA Tx Psc) a Carbon Star! A great title for a little red pixel!

And yes I took photos!

Conjunction photo: http://www.luisargerich.com/mmu-2012/hbf76f81
Annotated version: http://www.luisargerich.com/mmu-2012/hbf76f81#h21eef220
Carbon Star & Moon: http://www.luisargerich.com/mmu-2012/hbf76f81#h1013df00

Complete Set: http://www.luisargerich.com/mmu-2012

Thanks for the feedback!

Luis

[StephenM (Stephen)]

Looks like you had a nice view Luis! The conditions were good here in Brisbane as well.

Cheers,
Stephen

[von Tom (Tom)]

Nice shots Luis.

Tom

[Liz]

Well done Luis, great images!!

[luigi]

Liz, Stephen, Tom thanks for your comments!