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APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:06 am
by APOD Robot
Conjunction at Sunset
Explanation: While Comet Lovejoy entertained early morning risers in the
southern hemisphere, a
lovely conjunction of a young crescent Moon and Venus graced western skies at sunset. Captured on December 26th the conjunction, with beautiful
sunset colors above and below, is seen here over Viverone Lake near Turin, Italy. But if you've been outdoors at all lately enjoying sunsets on planet Earth, then you've probably noticed Venus low in the west as the season's
brilliant evening star. Sometimes
mistaken for a terrestrial light near the horizon, Venus is the third brightest celestial beacon, after the Sun and Moon. That distinction is particularly easy to appreciate in this peaceful scene.
[/b]
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:38 am
by mirovlad
I believe the light on the water at bottom, a little on the right, is a mini moonlight path
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
When I open the picture fullsize, I think I also see the reflection of Venus on the water
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:51 am
by BMAONE23
In August 2003, we were trveling to Trinity Lake in California and had to stop for the night. We stopped at a different lake campground. It was during the Mars Opposition of that year and I remember seeing the same "Trailing" effect from Mars on the surface of the lake
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:00 am
by Ann
This picture was posted just a day or two ago in the Recent Submissions thread in the Latest Sky Photography forum here, and I have been meaning to write a comment about it to point out how lovely it is.
First, note the exquisite composition of the image. Venus is at upper left, and the Moon is "two thirds to the right from the left border of the image", slightly blow Venus. Interestingly, not only is the Moon to the lower right of Venus, but it is the lower right part of the Moon which is illuminated in this crescent phase.
This "Venus-Moon configuration" creates a "direction in the picture" from the upper left to the lower right. Please note how the landscape enhances the direction to the lower right. The top of the mast of the boat is like another point on that curve that now steeply points downwards. The last of these points on the curve is the black float immediately to the right of the boat.
Note how the general "direction" down and to the right is both emphasized and mitigated by the outline of the hilly landscape below the lake. The hill generally slopes down to the right, but it reaches its peak slightly to the right of Venus and then slopes gently down to the left. This created the feeling that picture is anchored and will not keep gliding down an ever more slippery slope to the right.
Another anchor in this picture is the tall mast of the ship and its long black reflection in the almost still water. The small white reflection of the moon to the left of the long black reflection of the mast is a lovely sight in the water.
Please note the wonderful colors of this picture. The sky changes from a deep rich blue to a pale rosy violet-pink to a deep rich golden-orange. But the reflection of the sky in the water is much redder than the sky, creating yet another wonderful color in the lovely palette.
So this is indeed a truly lovely image! Thank you, Stefano De Rosa!
Ann
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:31 am
by starstruck
It is, indeed, a beautiful picture! So calm and tranquil, from the conjunction in the infinite blue, to the gently lapping water under a glowing red-amber sky; simply breathtaking. I can almost hear the faint clinking of a lanyard against the mast . . .
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:22 pm
by biddie67
Yes, this is a marvelous picture! A conjunction of more than Venus and the moon!
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:51 pm
by orin stepanek
Beautiful!
![Cool 8-)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Too bad it isn't wallpaper sized.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:44 pm
by AstroTheDog
The Canadian rock trio Rush recorded a song entitled "Earthshine", one of my favorite tracks of theirs. Earthshine is known as the phenomenon when the entire moon is dimly lit and visible during a lunar crescent, as seen in todays beautiful pic here on APOD. I've been enjoying the Earthshine a few nights this week. To hear the song, here is YouTube link to a posting of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yz1l1dF6UA
Regards,
~ skarni ~
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:34 pm
by Steve D
Beautiful picture, but it's not a conjunction. A conjunction is the moment when two bodies have the same right ascension. The terminator of the Moon would point pretty much at Venus when that happens.
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:16 pm
by Chris Peterson
Steve D wrote:Beautiful picture, but it's not a conjunction. A conjunction is the moment when two bodies have the same right ascension. The terminator of the Moon would point pretty much at Venus when that happens.
That is not
the definition of conjunction, for the simple reason that there is no single definition for the word.
What you describe is called a
conjunction in right ascension. Other formal conjunction types are also recognized, such as a
conjunction in ecliptical longitude. But by far the most common use of the term, and a perfectly valid one, is when two or more objects are seen close together in the sky- marking a condition, not a momentary event.
It is always a mistake in cases like this to focus on narrow definitions when broader ones are intended.
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:16 pm
by StefanoDeRosa
Ann wrote:This picture was posted just a day or two ago in the Recent Submissions thread in the Latest Sky Photography forum here, and I have been meaning to write a comment about it to point out how lovely it is.
First, note the exquisite composition of the image. Venus is at upper left, and the Moon is "two thirds to the right from the left border of the image", slightly blow Venus. Interestingly, not only is the Moon to the lower right of Venus, but it is the lower right part of the Moon which is illuminated in this crescent phase.
This "Venus-Moon configuration" creates a "direction in the picture" from the upper left to the lower right. Please note how the landscape enhances the direction to the lower right. The top of the mast of the boat is like another point on that curve that now steeply points downwards. The last of these points on the curve is the black float immediately to the right of the boat.
Note how the general "direction" down and to the right is both emphasized and mitigated by the outline of the hilly landscape below the lake. The hill generally slopes down to the right, but it reaches its peak slightly to the right of Venus and then slopes gently down to the left. This created the feeling that picture is anchored and will not keep gliding down an ever more slippery slope to the right.
Another anchor in this picture is the tall mast of the ship and its long black reflection in the almost still water. The small white reflection of the moon to the left of the long black reflection of the mast is a lovely sight in the water.
Please note the wonderful colors of this picture. The sky changes from a deep rich blue to a pale rosy violet-pink to a deep rich golden-orange. But the reflection of the sky in the water is much redder than the sky, creating yet another wonderful color in the lovely palette.
So this is indeed a truly lovely image! Thank you, Stefano De Rosa!
Ann
Thank you for your wonderful comment Ann
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:38 pm
by luigi
Great photo Stefano, all the hard work you do got a prize.
The photo is fantastic, perfect moment, colors and composition. I love it.
Luis
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:02 pm
by TNT
Absolutely spectacular! A marvelous picture indeed! You've earned my congratulations for this image to be an APOD!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:23 pm
by zloq
I think this APOD is a nicely composed and captured image of a beautiful astronomical scene - and the caption is well written and clear. Good job all around.
zloq
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:10 pm
by RUBEN
Gracias. Bonita y sedante imagen. Desde Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay.
Google Translate wrote:Thank you. Nice and soothing image. From Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay.
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:09 pm
by Sergio
Excellent image Stefano.
I also checked your site and is full of marvelous pictures.
Congratulations
Sergio
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:43 pm
by Topsy
Sorry i'm offten wrong but Isn't that planet Jupiter not venus?
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:20 pm
by owlice
It's Venus; Jupiter was nearly overhead (for me, anyway) when this conjunction occurred.
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:39 pm
by StefanoDeRosa
Thank you all for your nice comments! and...HAPPY NEW YEAR
Stefano
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:10 am
by Julie
one of the most stunning apod pix I've seen and Orin the pic will fit any mobile!
Re: APOD: Conjunction at Sunset (2011 Dec 29)
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:33 pm
by StarGrizzly
Perfect image and perfect comment,
Thank you Stefano and Ann
![:) :ssmile:](./images/smilies/smile.gif)