Dawn planets - and moon!

[kerrylewis]

With the promise of clear skies at dawn I set up the Ioptron mount and the Tak on my small flat roof area that gives me a better view to the south and east above trees and rooftops. This was a sort of trial run for the upcoming 'low planet season'.

Mars was comparatively high at 5.30 and it was great to see that small orange disc again; no detail though. 

I then watched as the other objects appeared above the distant roofs and then cleared my garage roof enough to be seen through the scope. Jupiter was first - beautifully bright to the naked eye as it slowly rose above the roofs in the brightening sky. The view through the scope was pretty awful although still good to see that squashed disc again.

But the star of the show was the moon. Only 1% illuminated according to Clear Outside so I wasn't sure what I would see. But then the impossibly slender disc appeared. A breathtaking sight through the Canon binoculars. At first it was interlaced with a distant tree and, even with the background sky getting lighter all the time, earthshine was visible on the rest of the disc.  Then, as it cleared the tree, a very faint thin line of illumination was visible along the limb partially encircling the ethereal earthshine. It eventually climbed high enough to be seen in the scope but the earlier view through the bins was better. A truly lovely sight which I'll remember for a long time.

Then Venus joined the party and formed an open triangle with Jupiter and the skinny moon in the orange tinted sky. By now my feet had lost contact with the rest of my body so it was time to come down for a warming coffee after a real treat and an unforgettable dawn.

[GavStar]

Nice report Kerry. Great to hear you are enjoying the Tak. Top scope!

[Stu]

It's certainly chilly out there this morning! I agree with you that actually bins give a lovely of these low down events, same with the Venus/Jupiter conjunction. Scope view was not great but lovely in binos.

[DRT]

That sounds great, Kerry

I just wish I had any view at all of the south east horizon  

[Craney]

Looked out for this one,  could not determine the location of the Moon..... partial cloud was not helping.....and a 3 o'clock  bedtime.   Would be nice to see any photos if anybody imaged it.

Sean.

[kerrylewis]

52 minutes ago, Craney said:

 Would be nice to see any photos if anybody imaged it.

Sean.

Yes Sean it was only when it was too late that I thought “why didn’t I try a photo?’’ My camera was not far away! I was too engrossed in the view! 

 

[Pete Presland]

I was also looking in that direction, yhey looked stunning as they crept out of the murky horizon. I Also Saw A Few Leonids as well. I might have a pics to share, if my frozen fingers haven't let me down 

[Pete Presland]

On ‎17‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 08:32, Craney said:

Looked out for this one,  could not determine the location of the Moon..... partial cloud was not helping.....and a 3 o'clock  bedtime.   Would be nice to see any photos if anybody imaged it.

Sean.

I managed a few decent images between the clouds.

 

[kerrylewis]

Great picture Pete of the lovely triangle on that morning. I’m glad you were successful- I think I’ll stick a copy in my log book as a reminder.

Thanks

 

[Stu]

1 hour ago, Pete Presland said:

I managed a few decent images between the clouds.

 

One for the widefield competition I think. Lovely shot.

[Hayduke27]

Great pic @Pete Presland

[Craney]

Lovely picture Pete.  Amazing how far the planets have moved apart in just a few days, and a bit of Earth shine as well.   Thanks for posting this.

 

Sean.