Starship Asterisk*

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.

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I believe the light on the water at bottom, a little on the right, is a mini moonlight path
When I open the picture fullsize, I think I also see the reflection of Venus on the water

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

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

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 . . .

Yes, this is a marvelous picture! A conjunction of more than Venus and the moon!

Beautiful! Too bad it isn't wallpaper sized.

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 ~

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.

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.

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

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

Absolutely spectacular! A marvelous picture indeed! You've earned my congratulations for this image to be an APOD!

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

Gracias. Bonita y sedante imagen. Desde Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay.

Google Translate wrote:Thank you. Nice and soothing image. From Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay.

Excellent image Stefano.

I also checked your site and is full of marvelous pictures.

Congratulations
Sergio

Sorry i'm offten wrong but Isn't that planet Jupiter not venus?

It's Venus; Jupiter was nearly overhead (for me, anyway) when this conjunction occurred.

Thank you all for your nice comments! and...HAPPY NEW YEAR

Stefano

one of the most stunning apod pix I've seen and Orin the pic will fit any mobile!

Perfect image and perfect comment,
Thank you Stefano and Ann