Tag Archives: crescent

May 24 2012

Moon & Venus and the Medieval Castle of Grinzane Cavour

Crescent Moon (showing lovely earthsine) and blazing Venus captured shortly after sunset in the evening of 23 May, 2012 as the pair was setting next to the medieval Castle of Grinzane Cavour. The massive castle is located in the Langhe region, famous for its wines, about 50 km southeast of Turin. The Moon is moving away from the Sun wheras Venus is preparing for the upcoming 5-6 June transit on our star.

Tech details: Canon Eos 5D Mk II, focal lenght: 117 mm; Exp: 1/5 sec.; F/10; ISO: 1600 + cross star filter

Tech details: Canon Eos 5D Mk II, focal lenght: 147 mm; Exp: 1/4 sec.; F/5.6; ISO: 4000

Apr 24 2012

Moon and Venus over Turin

This image, captured after sunset from the vantage point of the Cappuccini hill, shows the crescent Moon and super bright Venus putting on a magnificent show over Turin. On the right is easily recognizable the Mole Antonelliana, symbol of the city.

Tech details: Turin (Italy), April 24, 2012, Canon EOS 5D Mark II; EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens set @24mm; Exp: 0.3 sec; F/4; ISO: 1600

Apr 23 2012

Young Moon and Jupiter over Rocciamelone peak

 

I took the photo above last evening (April 22, 2012) from Turin (Italy): it shows a 36 hours old crescent Moon pairing with a bright Jupiter setting behind the peak of Rocciamelone (3,538 m -11,608 ft), a mountain of the Graian Alps. A great way to celebrate Earth Day :-)
 
Tech details: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Sigma 150-500mm lens set @ 438mm; Exp: 1.6 sec; f/9; ISO: 2000

Mar 25 2012

Contemplating the conjunction

The image shows the crescent Moon (with a beautiful earthshine), three planets (Earth, Jupiter and Venus)…and three kids (one of them is called Miranda…another Moon): what a great conjunction!

Technical details: Turin (Italy), 25 March 2012, Canon EOS 5D Mark II,  Canon EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens set @ 70 mm; Exp: 0.5 sec; F/5.6; ISo: 1600

Mar 25 2012

The young Moon meets the old Sacra

The image shows the two days old young Moon setting “close” to the Sacra of San Michele (Saint Michael’s Abbey, located some 30 km from Turin, Italy). The monument, sitting high on top of Monte Pirchiriano (at some 1,000 mt), is one of the largest religious complexes in Europe, with its construction and subsequent enlargements carried out over the last 1000 years, since 983. According to legend, Hugo de Montboissier was advised by angels that the mountain would be a superb place for an abbey which was built and entrusted to five Benedictine monks.
 
Tech details: March 24, 2012. Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Sigma lens set @ 614mm, Exp: 1.3 sec; F/9; ISO: 2500

Feb 24 2012

Crescent Moon and planets parade

Crescent Moon, Venus and Jupiter: what a magnificent parade! Mercury was also visible setting behind the Alps (see it in the close up view on the left of the bell-tower). What else could an astrophotographer ask for? In the image you can see the St. Vito Church (Turin, Italy) and on the left the peak of Monte Viso (mt 3,841).

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Lo spettacolo della falce di Luna, Venere e Giove sulla Chiesa di San Vito (Torino) con le Alpi sullo sfondo. Il Monviso (3.841 mt) è facilmente riconoscibile nella parte sinistra dell’ immgine. Nella foto sotto è distinguibile Mercurio mentre tramonta “vicino” al campanile.

Tech. details: Canon Eos 5D MkII; Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4 L IS USM lens set @ 28mm; Exp: 1 sec; f/6.3; ISO: 640

Feb 22 2012

A super young Moon over the Alps

The Moon is preparing for this week end show when it will join Venus and Jupiter. This evening, I wanted to welcome the very young Moon resembling a Cheshire grin as setting over the Italian Alps. At the time of the shot, the Moon was just 19 hours and 7 minutes old that so far it represents my personal record of “Young Moon gazing”!

Photo details: Canon EOS 5D Mk II,; 1/8 second exposure; f/9; 700 mm focal length; ISO 200

Dec 25 2011

Christmas Crescent

The pictures show a superthin 21 hours and 45 min. old crescent Moon setting behind the Italian Alps. In the second image on the left is also visible the pyramid-like shape of Monviso (3,841 m – 12,602 ft). What a splendid Christmas present!