Planets

Mercury transit 2003-05-07.
Occasionally, Mercury, which orbits the Sun inside the Earth's orbit, moves in front of the Sun, a bit like the Moon does in a solar eclipse. Although Mercury is bigger than the Moon, it is a lot further away, so it appears quite small compared to the Sun. The transit of Mercury in front of the Sun takes several hours. In the image the transit is about to end. Ten minutes later and all will be over. Mercury is the small dark circle. The dark area on the right is the blank sky, and the bright area on the left is the Sun. You can see the curvature of the solar limb, which gives an indication that the Sun is more than 100 times bigger than Mercury. At the Sun's distance the Earth would have an apparent diameter of about 18", which is not much more than the 12" diameter of Mercury in this image.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8 with Solar Skreen filter, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.

Venus transit 2004-06-08.
Occasionally, Venus, which orbits the Sun inside the Earth's orbit, moves in front of the Sun, a bit like the Moon does in a solar eclipse. Although Venus is bigger than the Moon, it is a lot further away, so it appears quite small compared to the Sun. The transit of Venus in front of the Sun takes several hours.
Edinburgh. f = 400 mm, f/6.3, 400 ISO. Telephoto lens with Baader foil filter. Canon EOS 300D.

Conjunction of Venus and Mercury 2005-06-27.
Rarely come two planets this close, just under 4' separate Mercury from Venus. There is no danger of a real collision, because they are at vastly different distances. The sky is a bright blue, because this image is taken around teatime in bright sunlight.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20, 1/640 s, 400 ISO. Celestron 8, Canon EOS 300D.

Venus on 2005-12-24.
The planet Venus is the Earth's inner neighbour. This image shows a thin crescent phase.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.

Mars 2005-11-18.
The planet Mars is the Earth's outer neighbour. This image shows dark highlands and bright lowlands. Also the extensive cloud in the north (blue/white, top right).
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.

Jupiter on 2003-02-12.
The giant planet Jupiter has a very lively atmosphere. Most prominent are the two dark bands north and south of the equator. Left of centre in the southern band is the Great Red Spot.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.

Jupiter on 2004-05-01.
The giant planet Jupiter has a very lively atmosphere. Here the bands show more structure and dynamic. The Great Red Spot is to the far right here.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.

Saturn on 2005-03-08.
In 2005, the ring is wide open with the Earth on its southern side. The Cassini division in the ring is clearly visible.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.

Saturn on 2009-03-19.
In 2009, the Earth is close to switching from the southern to the northern side of the ring.
Edinburgh. f = 4000 mm, f/20. Celestron 8, Philips ToUcam Pro. Unsharp mask.