Crescent Moon, Earthshine, Venus and Mercury
March 10, 2012
Photographer: Robert Arn; Robert's Web site
Summary Author: Robert Arn; Jim Foster
The photo above showcases a rosy twilight, a slender Moon and the conjunction of Venus and Mercury as observed from Coyote Ridge, near Fort Collins, Colorado, in late October 2011. Venus lurks amidst the veil of cirrus clouds. Below and slightly to the right of Venus is faint Mercury -- just above the silhouetted hill slope. Note the earthshine on the non-illuminated portion of lunar crescent. During the first part of March 2012, Mercury lies close to the horizon, with brilliant Venus above it. However, Mercury quickly fades by mid month. Photo taken on October 28, 2011.
Photo details: Camera Maker: Canon; Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi (modified); Lens: EF200mm f/2.8L USM +2.0x; Focal Length: 400mm; Focus Distance: Infinite; Still tripod mount; Aperture: f/5.6; Exposure Time: 19 x1/80th sec.; ISO equiv: 100; Exposure Bias: none; Metering Mode: Matrix; Mosaic format; Exposure: Manual; Exposure Mode: Manual; White Balance: Manual; Flash Fired: No (enforced); Orientation: Normal; Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998); Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Macintosh.