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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Morning, Moon, and Mercury
NASA ^ | April 26, 2012 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 04/26/2012 3:59:10 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

Explanation: Last week Mercury wandered far to the west of the Sun. As the solar system's innermost planet neared its greatest elongation or greatest angle from the Sun (for this apparition about 27 degrees) it was joined by an old crescent Moon. The conjunction was an engaging sight for early morning risers in the southern hemisphere. There the pair rose together in predawn skies, climbing high above the horizon along a steeply inclined ecliptic plane. This well composed sequence captures the rising Moon and Mercury above the city lights of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. A stack of digital images, it consists of an exposure made every 3 minutes beginning at 4:15 am local time on April 19. Mercury's track is at the far right, separated from the Moon's path by about 8 degrees.

April 26, 2012

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; moon; science
[Credit & Copyright: Stephen Mudge]

1 posted on 04/26/2012 3:59:13 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...

2 posted on 04/26/2012 4:00:37 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

Stunning, and exemplary work on the part of Stephen Mudge!


3 posted on 04/26/2012 4:08:59 AM PDT by .30Carbine (God bless you with the spirit of wisdom and understanding)
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To: SunkenCiv

A Terrestrial shot to be sure, but sensational just the same!


4 posted on 04/26/2012 4:52:50 AM PDT by left that other site
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To: SunkenCiv

Very cool! Thanks, SunkenCiv!


5 posted on 04/26/2012 5:56:02 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: SunkenCiv

Morning, Jack Daniels and Pop Tarts.


6 posted on 04/26/2012 6:22:43 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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