Explanation:
Early risers are currently enjoying
the sight of
dazzling Venus,
near the eastern horizon as the
morning star.
Recorded on October 7, this predawn
skyview
does feature Venus at the upper right.
It also includes a crescent Moon and Saturn (lower left).
In fact, holding your fist at arms length would have
easily covered
both planets and the Moon in this 5 degree wide field.
Earthshine,
sunlight reflected from planet Earth's dayside, illuminates
features on the lunar nightside.
A close inspection of Saturn itself reveals
a nearby pinpoint of light corresponding
to
Saturn's large moon Titan.
Though the Moon has moved on,
the tight triangle formed by Venus, Saturn,
and Regulus (top), alpha star in the constellation Leo, will
continue to look impressive
in early morning skies over the next few days.
Early bird astrophotographer Jay Ouellet also described
Mars as a "brilliant red diode" in
his dark country sky east of Quebec City, Canada.
Count the Stars:
The
Great World Wide Star Count
