Explanation:
During
the past week, nightfall on planet Earth
has featured Mars, Saturn, and Spica in a lovely conjunction
near the western horizon.
Still forming the corners of a distinctive celestial triangle
after sunset and recently
joined
by a crescent Moon, they are all about the same brightness
but can exhibit different colors to the discerning eye.
This
ingenious star trail image was recorded as the trio set
on August 12 with a telephoto lens from the shores of Lake Eppalock,
in central Victoria, Australia.
Focused on foreground eucalyptus trees, the image slightly
blurs the trails to show more saturated colors.
Can you guess which trail is which?
Of course the
reddest trail is Mars, with
Saturn on the right a paler echo of the Red Planet's hue.
Left is hot and luminous
Spica,
bluish alpha star of the constellation Virgo.
