Observation by Alan C Tough: Polar Stratospheric Clouds + Venus

Uploaded by

Alan C Tough

Observer

Alan C Tough

Observed

2023 Jan 29 - 19:49

Uploaded

2023 Feb 03 - 20:26

Objects

Venus
Polar Stratospheric Cloud

Equipment

Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR
L-series 24-105mm lens

Exposure

1/320th second @ f/7.1, ISO-500

Location

Elgin, Moray, Scotland

Target name

Polar Stratospheric Clouds

Title

Polar Stratospheric Clouds + Venus

About this image

These beautiful but deadly clouds created quite a stir when they were spotted over the north of Scotland at teatime on January 29, and also pre-sunrise on January 30. More a meteorological phenomenon than astronomical, my justification for posting this image here is that the planet Venus is right in the middle of the cloud, just below the dark orange segment (see 1.9 MB image). Also, the bright blue material streaming from the cloud reminds me of a comet's ion tail!

Why deadly, well they are usually a mixture of nitric acid and ice crystals and are associated with the destruction of Earth's protective ozone layer (says he who pretends to know what he's talking about!).

Files associated with this observation

psc_20230129_1649_actough.jpg (1.9 MB)

Like this image

Grant Privett, Gerard Cauchi, Martina McGovern, Manolo_Rodriguez, Mike Harlow, Callum Potter, Robin Leadbeater, James Weightman, David Basey, Paul Whitmarsh, Tim Haymes, Tom Axelsen

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