FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Planets photo on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day

[jack.jones@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I saw Mercury at 3-4 oclock position from the moon sliver in my 7x21 Nikon
binocs and it looked the -1 in the deeper twilite. Yes it sank fast. My
Starry Night Pro had it at -0.66 or thereabouts, not certain, didn't know it
was going to be important! Gone online for an update lately?

Jack

> my Picture of  the Day
> 
> Joe Orman wrote:
> 
> > rapidly dimming Mercury low in the WNW...
>   ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^
> 
> 
> Last night, I tried and failed to see Mercury among the planets.  It
> should have been a few degrees away from the moon at a 4 o'clock position,
> but I couldn't find it naked eye (forgot the binos).  Starry Night had it
> at magnitude -1, which is certainly incorrect, and Heavens Above says "?"
> for its magnitude.
> 
> Here is my effort from May 13 atop Tempe Butte with a Nikon Coolpix 995
> digital camera:
> 
> http://www.psiaz.com/polakis/digital_astro/planets_051302.jpg
> 
> It, too, fails to show Mercury, but Mars and Saturn are visible if you put
> your eyes a few inches from your computer monitor.
> 
> Tom
> 
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