The Moon and planets Jupiter, Venus and Mercury
December 31, 2008

This photograph was taken using a Canon 20D with a 28-80mm zoom lens set at 28mm.  The planet Mercury orbits close to the sun so it is especially difficult to photograph because it is never very high above our horizon, and by the time it is really dark outside Mercury has just about set.  Nevertheless, it was visible this evening and was aligned close to Jupiter as well, for a striking visual effect.  The Moon and Venus are keeping watch up above. The second photo is labeled in case you are having difficulty finding the fainter planets.  Photographed at Memorial Park, Cupertino, CA.