Moon and planets conjunction challenge

Conjunction of Mars, Venus and the crescent Moon (11-13 July 2021)

Shortly after sunset on the evenings of July 11 to 13, weather permitting, we should be able to see a fine conjunction (close approach) between Mars, Venus and the crescent Moon in the western sky. The trio will be closest on the 12th, as the Moon zips by. Such events are pretty to watch and present opportunities to capture a relatively rare sight photographically.

On the 12th, the sun sets at about 17h00 SAST (there will be some variance according to your location), with the planets reaching the horizon about two hours later. The Moon will set at approximately 18h25 on the 11th (and of course later on the following days, as it moves from west to east through the sky). During the intervening time between sunset and the planets setting, the sky will naturally darken progressively. Given the proximity of the celestial bodies to the horizon during that time, it should be possible to include interesting foreground detail illuminated by twilight.

ASSA invites all who are interested, to submit their photos of this event. The best three, as judged by Chris Stewart (ASSA President) and Martin Heigan (ASSA Imaging Section Director) will be featured in the 2022 Sky Guide (with the photographer of course being credited), and the photographers will each receive five copies of that Sky Guide.

The rules

  1. The competition is restricted to residents of South Africa.
  2. Submit your images electronically to astrophotography@assa.saao.ac.za
  3. Acceptable file formats are .JPG and .TIFF, with a maximum file size of 5MB.
  4. Image processing including stacking is acceptable. However, if you have processed the image, an original .JPG containing the usual EXIF information produced by the camera must accompany the final result.
  5. Each image must be submitted separately.
  6. Each submission must be accompanied by the following information:
    a. Your name and contact details
    b. The date, time and approximate location
    c. A brief description of the equipment used and any processing techniques employed.
  7. Needless to say, all submitted images must be your own work.
  8. Ownership of the intellectual property remains with the photographer without restrictions.
  9. By submitting an image, you affirm that it is your own work and agree to ASSA publishing the image plus any associated details with suitable accreditation (i.e. specifically including your name) in our various communications channels. ASSA may crop or reduce the resolution of an image to suit the needs of publication.
  10. A maximum of one image will be selected from any contestant.
  11. Cut-off date for submissions is 1 August 2021
  12. The winners will be announced on 1 September 2021.
  13. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the judging.

Prizes

In addition to being featured in the Sky Guide, each of the three winners will receive a prize sponsored by telescopium.co.za.
1st Prize: Svbony 1.25″ 18mm SWA eyepiece (1st prize, R1070 value).
2nd Prize: Svbony 2x Barlow and Svbony 1.25″ to T-thread adapter (2nd prize, R530 value).
3rd Prize: Svbony 1.25″ UV/IR cut filter and Svbony 1.25″ 0.6ND filter (3rd prize, R410 value).

Courier costs of the prizes will also be covered by Telescopium.

Winners

1st: Angus Burns (Conjunction Newcastle 12 July 2021).
2nd: Jaco Boshoff (Moon Venus Mars 12 July 2021_AJB_3).
3rd: Percy Jacobs (CN0R4518 Processed).