Orion, Jupiter, Venus, and the new moon

Along with Venus and Jupiter, the new moon is joining the show. Went out to the lake last night and got a few images of the sky.

Orion and the Zodiacal Light

We've enjoyed a week of summer temps. Literally. The hot weather dried up the laneway in to the lake, so I was able to get out and shoot the night sky while Orion is still high overhead. Jupiter and Venus are still in close proximity, and the no-moon dark sky made the stars shine like we never see near the city. I set up the barndoor tracker and took a few long exposures, I didn't see the zodiacal light with the naked eye but it shows up in some of the pics. It was great to be back out in "dark sky" country while listening to spring peepers, coyotes, and a pair of barred owls that set off into a frenzy of hooting when I imitated their call a couple of times. Sounded like I had disturbed a troupe of howler monkeys. The beaver wanted to come ashore but soon discovered I was there, and swam back and forth, slapping his tail to show his displeasure at my presence. So much for the peaceful woodlands. The most enjoyable part of this outing was the warm temperatures...and no mosquitoes! I would have stayed there half the night had I not needed to skedaddle on back home. It's unfortunate that a big system of cloudy weather has moved in upon us, I would have liked to have photographed the new moon with this scene, near Venus and Jupiter. The moon will soon outshine the stars, so I'll have to wait a couple weeks until the back side of the full moon before I get dark skies again.

Specs: ISO 400, f 4.0, Sigma 10-200mm lens at 10mm, 241 seconds, Canon Rebel XT 350D. Shot in RAW, minimal "tweaking" for exposure, cloned out a few hot pixel spots. Definitely want to get this one printed and hung on my wall.

Venus and Jupiter

Venus and Jupiter are coming close together in the night sky during their orbits 'round the sun, a lovely bright pairing in the western evening sky. Looks the eyes of some big cat staring back down out of the sky. From upper right in this shot: Orion, Taurus, Pleiades cluster, and Jupite and Venus lower left.