August 23, 2012
Galaxies were colliding long before you were born, and they will keep colliding long after us all.
Conjunction Colours
Birthday · August 23, 2012
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APOD published August 23, 2012. Credit: Phil Hart. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
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.
Image credit: Phil Hart