Venus and Saturn at dusk, 2007 June 07

by Kos Coronaios

Posted 2007 June 19 @ 11:03

2007 June 07, 18:54 SAST

© 2007 K. Coronaios

Shortly after nightfall on June 07, Kos photographed the western horizon making a 15-second exposure with an 18mm lens. The Beehive open cluster (Messier 44) can be made out to the top right of Venus, on the line between it and Saturn (just above centre). From Regulus near the top right edge of the picture, the question-mark shape of Leo's Sickle can be traced, curving downward and to the right. The two brighter stars of the sickle, along with Saturn and Regulus, makes a faux Pegasus, known to have confused at least one astronomer recently. Directly below Venus are the Gemini duo Castor and Pollux.

Kos writes: "The mountain range seen is the Soutpansberg, with the lights of Louis Trichardt spoiling my night view looking northwards (I know it could be far worse). East and west I have reasonably dark skies and southwards is just perfect, no light pollution at all."

Keywords: Astronomy, astrophotography

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