Camera Labs

Hi folks,

Courtesy of the British Astronomical Association:

Venus Visits the Pleiades.

Venus has been putting on a brilliant display in the western evening sky. Next week it produces another photo / visual observing opportunity when it passes the Pleiades (Messier 45) open star cluster. On April 2 it reaches the edge of the cluster while on April 3 (Tuesday night) it lies well within the cluster. Unfortunately the Moon at around 88% phase on April 3 will produce some light pollution, but this should still be an interesting event to observe.

Stewart Moore
Director, Deep Sky Section
2012 March 29

My planetarium software indicates that the best photo op will see the Pleiades below my local horizon. Hopefully you will have more luck!

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Low on West... gonna be impossible from my house, but I might have a chance if it's clear, if I go somewhere with a less obstructed horizon... moon is at least quite far over.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Should be a good sight. Shame it couldn't have happened last week with all the clear skies!

Still, I'll be keeping and eye out.

_________________
Lee Diggle
My Astronomy Blog | My Photography Gallery