[AZ-Observing] Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Clouds and Lightning

What a great combination of events tonight. Susan and I went to a 
location a little north of Maricopa and had ring-side seats for a 
spectacular evening. We were able to spot Mercury without the need for 
optical aid just around 8pm and Saturn about ten or fifteen minutes 
later. I was able to see all three through my camera with a 200mm lens 
about ten minutes before eight o'clock. They were farther apart than I 
expected but easily fit in the field of view of my 200mm lens 
(equivalent to 360mm on a 35mm camera).

There was a rainbow prior to the sun setting and the sunset itself was 
beautiful with rays and clouds to enhance it. I spotted Venus about five 
minutes after the sun had set. There was lightning storms all around us 
except toward the fairly clear west, so after taking a series of 
photographs of the planets, I spent about an hour and a half taking 
lightning photos.

What a spectacular evening - I hope others got to share in it.

Rick Scott


--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
send personal replies to the author, not the list.

Other related posts: