Been horrible yesterday and today here in Melbourne. Cloudy at 6pm tonight, but finally cleared around 7pm. Just came back in. What a beautiful sight. All four planets clearly visible, with a slither of moon separating Mercury and Saturn. I was a little surprised that Mercury was so high, I estimate nearly 10 deg from horizon. Showers are still around so I'm not game to take out any equipment, plus I think this is one of the sights best seen with the naked eye. Hoping for another look tomorrow.
Rod
perfect seeing here in Townsville this evening. The Moon and planets are putting on a nice show and I am hoping for the same tomorrow night as I am planning to set the scope up for a look at Saturn again.
The Townsville Astronomy Group went to Ravenswood (about 130Km south West on the goldfields) last weekend and the planets were pretty special then too. Later in the evening Jupiter and moons was quite special as the skies out there are so clear with very little ambient light.
Cheers
Mick
Last edited by mickqueensland; 12-08-2010 at 07:55 PM.
When will something similar to this happen again? I would think that having any 4 planets and the Moon all so close in conjunction would be a fairly rare event.
It’s been blowing a gale all day today but I decided to risk it and set up, nervously clinging on to the rig and observing hutch as gusts slammed into them, battering them with their intensity.
Due to wind induced vacillation, I was late setting up so the Moon had set below the roof, Mercury was well gone leaving only Mars, Venus & Saturn rapidly diving into the roofline. I forgot to unscrew the UV/IR filter off the front of the 70-200mm lens so ended up with filter flare.
The sloping dark shape at bottom frame is our roofline. A somewhat comical and at times challenging session, but at least it was clear!
It’s been blowing a gale all day today but I decided to risk it and set up, nervously clinging on to the rig and observing hutch as gusts slammed into them, battering them with their intensity.
Due to wind induced vacillation, I was late setting up so the Moon had set below the roof, Mercury was well gone leaving only Mars, Venus & Saturn rapidly diving into the roofline. I forgot to unscrew the UV/IR filter off the front of the 70-200mm lens so ended up with filter flare.
The sloping dark shape at bottom frame is our roofline. A somewhat comical and at times challenging session, but at least it was clear!
Cheers
Dennis
It's a bit ordinary for imaging out there isn't it Dennis! It was worth braving the wind for the conjunction though! I've just posted a slightly wind-blown image in the Solar System forum as well.
Townsville is looking perfect today so will take scope out this arvo and be ready early.
The moon and planets occupy most of the field of view on a 24mm lens. A scope will give you the objects one at a time. At 1280mm the moon occupies most of my field of view.
Last night clouded out in Taree N.S.W.
Tonight is clear.
Nikon d70s/18-70 ed lens set at 70mm.
planets behind trees and old chimney filled with light from a torch.
Thanks for looking..
Peter.
Nice shots everyone! Really beautiful alignment. What I find intriguing is looking through the 'flat' dome of the sky and contemplating the orbital motions and huge distances involved, from our own, close Moon, way way out to Saturn.
I generated the attached in JPL's solar system simulator for this evening (with a few added bits!).
