Hadn't planned this at all.. just out in garden around 8'ish when caught a glimpse of new moon (thinnest I have ever seen). Rushed around grabbed EOS & tripod - then had to search for glasses & torch - eventually managed a couple of hurried shots (I have a crap Westerly view from my garden). Spent about 1hr scanning shots & eventually spied Mercury in one frame hiden between branches of a bush... Image below is 100% crop of this .. Mercury just visible top left. Shame I couldn't get Venus as well but too many bushes/ trees. May try again tonight.
Cheers, John
(http://www.jpastronomy.co.uk/graphics/oas/moonvenus1.jpg)
:-)
Nice, it's a photo I was trying to take! But, if you took this on the 15th as I intended to do, I think you'll find that Mercury is just to the left of the moon (very hard to see) and the planet in the top left is Venus.
Phil,
Just checking on Stellarium for the evening of the 15th and I think this is the Moon and Mercury, as Venus is further to the left, and would be a lot brighter.
Tony G
I've rechecked it, Tony and think you may be right. So, what is it in the fugg just over one moon diameter immediately to the left of the crescent moon?
Hot pixel ;)
Brightest ? object in that area is tyc1218-1714-1 mag 9 against Mercurys mag 1.42
Satellite COBE also in the area just before 8 at mag 6.7
Thanks Mick. Hot pixel might well be it - or perhaps the sun reflected from one of COBEs solar panels?
The only thing it wouldn't be is a plane :lol:
Well it's definitely Mercury top left... Venus was way brighter.. I have other images as well from same night so can check for dot to left of moon... I think probably hot pixel though because 27Ari would also be in frame further to left & that is mag 6.2 & I cant see that...
The plot thickens...................................
Get the exact time and date it was taken and superimpose it over a same scale planetarium image.
Its my bum, I was up in a plane doing a moony with tin foil on it.
Quote from: Space Dog on Apr 18, 2010, 15:52:19
Its my bum...
Astonishing, Chris. How did you know that John was taking a picture at that moment and how did you calculate the incidence/reflection angles?
It took years of planning including ensuring no aircraft where in the area to ensure I did not get bum ped into.
Ahh, it's not just a knack then :D