Jupiter over Toronto Skyline

Last night I was able to capture some photos of Jupiter over the Toronto cityscape.  After several days in Toronto with overcast skies, I was glad when they cleared the night before I had to return to Ottawa.  In the photo posted below, several stars of Perseus and Aries are visible, including Hamal and Algol, which was very surprising, as when I took the pictures I could in fact only by naked-eye see Jupiter.  I'm not sure, but I think in the photo is even possible to see the pleiades partially eclipsed by the CN Tower.  The quality of this picture I owe to the advice of my cousin who I was visiting, who is a professional film maker.  His instruction was to reduce the ISO setting on my camera to sharpen the image.  I'm pretty impressed with how my camera was able to capture stars which weren't even aparent at the time I took the photo, and am looking forward to seeing improved results in my night time photography.

Jupiter over Toronto skyline - click to enlarge photo

Stellarium rendering of Eastern Sky over Toronto at 01:20

Jupiter in Aries and Cetus - Photos!

Taking the following shot of Jupiter, I was pretty surprised and impressed with my camera when I saw that Aries and most of Cetus had also shown up!  Hamal Sheratan and Mesarthim of Aries can always be picked out on a clear night, but I was surprised to see the Ram's tail as well as Menkar and other stars of Cetus show up in the photo!

Jupiter in Aries - click photo to enlarge

Jupiter and Moon in proximity, Mars and Taurus rising tonight

Tonight I’m hoping the weather will clear so I can watch the East-Northeast sky.  Just before 4am, before the morning twilight, Mars will be on the horizon in Taurus under the Pleiades; while Jupiter, the Moon and Hamal of Aries form a line in the eastern sky.  Capella, the 11^th brightest star, is risen alongside in the Northeast, as its constellation Auriga fully crests the horizon.  These bodies will hang shimmering in the sky as the other stars fade in dawn’s light. 

Just before sunrise, at about 5am, it might be possible to see Venus rise ahead of the Sun, before they are all drowned out by daylight. Hopefully the clouds and my neighbour's house will not block the view!


8CCEAGN5CY2E