Mercury setting

Mercury setting right down to the horizon in the West.

Taken from the SAC new observing site in the Burren, 4th May '08
Between 10:48 & 10:59 PM.

I also made a video showing it setting.
You can see it here;
www.frankryanjr.com/mercury.wmv
(If anyone knows how to make it into a animated gif or something
not so big please let me know)



And here it is right on the horizon

That's cool Frank. Nice animation!

Nice work Frank.

Also congrats to Martin McKenna and whose image is hyperlinked on SpaceWeather.

Very cool Frank!!, you dont get many horizons like that in this country.

you dont get many horizons like that in this country.

Aint that the truth. In fact i would imagine that the west coast is about the only place you could capture Mercury at sunset.................without too much hassle. Even at sunset here on the east coast it is way too bright still to see it...................even if you had a clear horizon.

Great image and video.

I remember being at a wedding last summer in Sligo. The hotel was right by the beach and i was AMAZED at just how bright it was even at 11pm. It didnt truely get dark (as i know it) until after midnight.................but the skies above were the clearest i have ever seen.

I'm thinking i need a holiday home on the west coast.

i would imagine that the west coast is about the only place you could capture Mercury at sunset.................without too much hassle. Even at sunset here on the east coast it is way too bright still to see it...................even if you had a clear horizon.

Agree, although I just captured the shot below about 1 hour ago through wispy cloud from the roof of my car at home in Wicklow. It was my first time to photography Mercury actually. Hopefully next time will be through a scope if it's not cloudy tomorrow evening.

Wished I had a longer lens with me

www.flickr.com/photos/26297495@N05/2472248052/