Mercury early morning 12 Sept. Prepare to be underwhelmed

[PeterCPC]

Took this at about 05.15 today. You can see Venus in top and, just above the trees, is Mercury. This is the first time that I have captured Mercury. Not much to see but it's there. Regulus is just above Mercury. Mars is below the tree line.

Peter

[xtreemchaos]

great widefield Peter, I bet Mercury and Venus looked just as good in the vis, did you know that less than 1% of people on our planet have seen mercury. thanks, charl.

[Charic]

I'll be in that group Charl.!

In three Years have only see Jupiter in its entirety,  with just a blur of Saturn and Mars through some Trees.

My time will come.

 

[dweller25]

Great shot - thanks for sharing - I have never seen Mercury

[JOC]

Have I done particularly well then?  Since < 1 years telescope ownership I've looked at Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and I'm pretty sure I got Neptune one night.

[spillage]

Nice capture. I just applaud you for being up at that time in the morning. Even more so being in a fit state to operate the camera. 

[xtreemchaos]

Charic, ive only seen the lovely little orb about 3 times in 43 years and 1 was in a transit, it allways seams to be too near sol or just outa reach. charl.

[JOC]

It's funny when I woke up this morning and looked up at the clear blue sky I thought 'I bet anyone awake early this morning did OK with their telescope'  It looks like I was correct, but 0515 takes some dedication - I only see that when I do my bi-weekly early start and then I'm too busy to stop and look.

[PeterCPC]

Thanks all. I have never before captured this elusive planet so I was quite pleased to do so. No telescope was involved - just my Canon 550d.

Peter

[Pete Presland]

Not underwhelmed at all.

Mercury is never going to rival planets like the big gas giants. But it's still part of our dynamic solar system and many people have never seen it. Even through my C9.25 scope it isn't particularly exciting.

It's a lovely capture though, such a peaceful scene. Thank you for sharing.

[Shaddex]

Nice catch. Yet to see myself.  Too many hills and tall buildings.

[David Smith]

Not to be sniffed at. I've seen Mercury a handful of times over the years and imaged it even less! Might have something to do with my lack of desire to get out of bed early though

[cfpendock]

Nice image.  I actually saw Mercury for the first time about two weeks ago.  What is surprising for me is that despite it being so difficult to see, it was recognised as a planet more than two thousand years ago.

[DarkAntimatter]

I think it might not be so difficult to see without lights, buildings, etc. to get in the way.