Planets Over Perth

As seen on Astronomy Picture of the Day a bright trio of terrestrial planets was joined by a young Moon on 2008 September 1, in planet Earth’s early evening skies. In this view of the celestial gathering from Perth, Western Australia, the Moon’s sunlit crescent is nearly horizontal at Perth’s southern latitude of about 32 degrees. Venus, then Mercury, and finally Mars shine above colorful city lights on the far shore of the Swan River. The six unlit towers on the left surround a large cricket stadium.