Mars Near the Beehive Cluster
Taken by Alan Dyer on May 2, 2025 @
near Gleichen, Alberta
Click photo for larger image
| |
Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS R5
Exposure Time: 60/1
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 400
Date Taken: 2025:05:03 15:59:16
|
|
| More images
Details:
Red Mars is here approaching the Beehive star cluster, aka Messier 44, in Cancer, on May 2, 2025. This is a telescopic close-up as Mars was less than 1.5º from the centre of the cluster this night.
Mars will be closest to M44 two nights later. On May 2, the sky was moonlit by a 6-day-old Moon not far away in the western sky. Its light and lingering twilight add the blue tint to the sky, retained for artistic effect. As are the diffraction spikes added in processing, to add "sparkle" to the stars.
The field of view is 3.1 by 2º. North is up here.
Technical:
This is a stack of just 2 x 60-second exposures with the Askar APO120 refractor at f/5.6 with its 0.8x Reducer, and the Canon R5 at ISO 400. It was on the Astro-Physics AP400 mount, tracked but unguided.
Photographer's website:
https://www.amazingsky.com
|
|
|
