Saturn and Jupiter getting close in Shetland

On Monday I thought I better make the most of a part clear sky to photograph Saturn and Jupiter who are getting close together

This is the best Saturn photo i have taken ,using a 150-600 sigma lens

A bit of cloud but luckly it cleared away and the wind dropped

Photo from St Ninian's looking SW towards Fitful Head

Jupiter showing a few of its Moons

The conjunction will be at its best on the 21 December , when the two planets will be the closest in 400 years.

German astronomer, Johannes Kepler, wrote in 1614 that he believed that the `Star of Bethlehem' in the Nativity story could have been the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Other suggest that the three wise men could have been following a triple conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn and Venus.

check out my new blog Shetland Solar Photography 

Many thanks have a great Christmas

Planets showing

 A clear night for a change and a chance of the Aurora, well that was the plan. No Aurora showed as the CME passed us by but it was good to get out to photograph the night sky.

Mars was showing big (40%) and bright off to the east just to the left of Sandlodge. Over to the south Saturn and Jupiter showed and i manged to capture both together with Jupiter's moons.

Even at 11.15pm it wasn't dark but in the coming weeks the nights will be drawing in, so hoping for a few clear nights and plenty of Aurora activity

All photos from Sandsayre in Sandwick, Shetland