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

Moon Preparing to Eclipse Mars: Photos

This morning I got out to take pictures of Mars and the moon in proximity in Taurus.  The shots are very light because it was just before sunrise, and also there is an Airport over the Eastern horizon where I am, which throws a lot of light into the sky.  If I had been able to take pictures 30 minutes earlier, perhaps the image would be sharper, but it was cool to watch in the dawn twilight!  At about 10am the Moon will begin to eclipse Mars, but the sky in North America will be too bright to see it.  However, for those in Honolulu or on a boat in the middle of the North Pacific, the Sun at that moment will not yet be risen, and the eclipse will be visible.  On the other side of the ocean, in Japan and Asia, the horizon will hide the eclipse event, and Mars will rise in front of the Moon, instead of behind like it did here.  JB882JAEFVCR

Mars, Moon, Taurus, Jupiter - 4:43am, July 27, 2011

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

Moon, Mars and Pleiades in Proximity

Just after 3:30am tonight Mars will rise behind the Moon and the Pleiades.  If I can wake up for this I'll be out to have a look!  Jupiter will also be hanging around in the Eastern sky!

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!


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