Published: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Josh Dury took this photo of the alignment of planets on June 1, 2024 near Somerset, England.
Image credit: Josh Dury
Astrophotography was stunning, even though the much-hyped planetary alignement of June wasn’t as spectacular as some claimed.
Josh Dury, of Somerset, England, caught the planetary procession on June 1, 2024 from the top of Crooks Peak. This popular and historic outcrop of rock is located in the Mendip Hills.
Joe Rao, a Space.com night-sky columnist, pointed out that the social media hype surrounding the planetary alignments was excessive. Some of the planets are difficult to observe, let alone with the naked eye. Dury, using some clever photography, was able capture Jupiter, Uranus and Mercury as they lined up with a crescent Moon.
Dury created this image by combining multiple exposures into one. The planets were close to the Sun in the early morning sky. Different camera settings were required to capture them.
Dury, via email, said: “I was amazed when I took this photo on Saturday morning. I saw Saturn, the Moon, and Mars.” I needed to take separate exposures to capture Jupiter, Uranus, and Mercury nearer the sun’s glare. This image is a composite.
Dury, who has taken countless photographs of the night skies, says that capturing this photograph was an excellent opportunity to reflect on humanity’s role in the universe.
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Dury stated that it was “quite amazing” to take a step back and see the vastness and scope of the universe.
Josh Dury took this photo of a planetary alignement on June 1, 2024 near Somerset, England. Want to see for yourself the visible planets in the solar system? (Image credit: Josh Dury). Check out our guide to the best telescopes for viewing the planets, as well as our guides on the best binoculars or telescopes.
If you want to take your own skywatching photos, you should check out our guide about the equipment needed to photograph and see planets. Also, we have recommended the best astrophotography lenses and cameras.
Source: Space.com