This image was taken with my Nikon D40, which has an APS-C sensor, paired with a legacy 55 mm lens; this results in a zoom level equivalent to that of a full frame sensor camera using an 82mm lens. The image was sharpened, brightened and contrast adjusted during post processing. This zoom level is sufficient to just barely detect that β Capricorni is double, at least if you click on the image to expand it to the largest size. ρ is split even more easily. |
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Venus is racing eastward against the stars and gaining altitude each day as it heads toward inferior conjunction next spring, while Mars tries desperately to stay ahead of his sister as he heads for superior conjunction on July 26, 2017. Venus slows down before she catches Mars, and turns back westward to make her dash between the Earth and Sun on March 25, in Pisces. On this evening, Venus is magnitude -4.20 while Mars is magnitude +0.72 with a separation of 19°47'45" Unannotated image. |