Venus and Sky Bunny

April 16, 2006

D602_004

Provided and copyright by: Ern Mainka, Ern Mainka Photography
Summary authors & editors: Ern Mainka; Jim Foster

The above photo showing Venus and a cloud formation that looks like a bunny was captured close to sunrise from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on February 4, 2006. To the sharp eyed observer, Venus can be often detected after the Sun is up, even at mid day -- knowing just where to look is the key to finding it. Next to the Sun and Moon, brilliant Venus is the brightest object in the sky.

The reddish highlights of the sky rabbit result from sunlight reflecting off the underside of this mid level cloud deck. Though these clouds aren't normally associated with unusual precipitation, on this occasion, jellybeans and eggs are likely to be gathered in its trail.

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