December 1, 2008. A date that astronomers will remember for the great triple conjuction of the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. Around here in Hartford, Connecticut viewing was not the best, as they say. As soon as twilight set in several low clouds and banks of showers moved quickly through the area. After that,  the skies cleared and left pristine viewing for about an hour and a half, to observe the rare conjuction. I bet on the skies clearing, so I spent the evening around the downtown Hartford, and the East Hartford area to get my shots. Here is what I got in between clouds and rain showers, from 5:00 and 6:45pm. I hope everybody got a chance to observe this one!

We will start off with the historic State Capitol building. This was just after a heavy rain shower went through for about 10 minutes, then the skies cleared.

Here’s a close up of the conjuction with the American flag blowing in the foreground at the Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut.

As it got a little darker outside I moved downtown and captured this shot of the moon just passing over the top of City Place. Earthshine was just starting to show.

As the planets were sinking lower and lower I managed to get across the Connecticut River for these final shots. Yes, the photo gods were shining tonight for me. The conjunction was setting right over the famous Colt Firearms factory dome.

Here is a wonderful wide angle shot the Connecticut river the Colt Dome, and the conjuction just to the right of it. It all came together in this shot. My best of the evening.  The enlarged version is spectacular!

As the moon was setting and could no longer see the other planets as they were lost in the city haze, I put on a 500mm lens and shot this picture of the moon and the top of the Colts Dome.

Alright one more…Not the conjuction, but just as neat! The moon as it passes over the Christmas tree on top of The Hartford Insurance Company.  Enjoy everybody!