Mercury-Spica Conjunction below Venus
Taken by Peter Lowenstein on September 23, 2021 @
Mutare, Zimbabwe
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Camera Used: Panasonic DMC-ZS40
Exposure Time: 40/10
Aperture: f/3.6
ISO: 400
Date Taken: 2021:09:24 10:13:07
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Details:
During the period 19-23 September there was a passing conjunction between Mercury and the bright Virgo star Spica as shown in the accompanying images. Dense smoke haze on the 21st when they were closest together (centre frame in mosaic) almost prevented the pair from being seen but there is another luminous object further down (see final enlargement). This appears to be a satellite but no sign of movement in the four second exposure suggests that it was only visible for a very short time due to a brief high intensity reflection of sunlight (an iridium flare). All images are 4 second exposures taken at about 6.30 pm using a tripod-mounted Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 compact camera in night scenery mode. They have been slightly enhanced in brightness and contrast with minimal application of 'Star Spikes Pro' filter to make the celestial objects more clearly visible. The bright foreground illumination is from security lighting on my house.
Photographer's website:
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