Astronomy

Observing Log for

Session Details


Durham

54.767, -1.574

10m

Notes

A clear evening with some cloud visible on the horizon and a very strong, gusting wind

Observations

Crescent Moon and Venus

I had a go last night at observing the super thin crescent moon barely into its first day but was foiled by fast moving cloud. This evening, despite the wind, conditions were better and I got some nice images of the crescent moon and Venus. I didn't quite make it in time to get Mercury.

Setting the scene as I walked up Dun Cow Lane - the Moon is just to the right of the tree at the centre of the image. Venus is hiding:

Very "Empire of the Lights"http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/503791949_7d97fcddaf.jpg

Walking up to the Celtic Cross close to the Cathedral which gives one of the best westernhorizons in Durham I could easily see the bright point of Venus sitting just up and left of the fine crescent moon. In the clear evening light it was a beautiful sight. Here is an image of the two, with the cross and the awful fence currently surrounding the cross during building works:

Venus and Crescent Moonhttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/225/503796941_196f3b0101.jpg

Images