Thread: Stars put on a show tonite

Venus, Jupiter and the Moon converge for a big show.


Venus, Jupiter and the moon will converge in the night skies over the next few days and promise to provide an amazing view. On Saturday November 29th, Venus and Jupiter will be less than 3 degrees apart in the Southwest after sunset.
Then on Sunday a slim 10% crescent Moon will appear and hover just below Venus and Jupiter – like the symbol on the Turkish flag but with two shining ‘stars’.
But the best night will be Monday 1st December when the now 15% crescent Moon moves in closer to form a triangle with Venus and Jupiter as opposing vertices. The three brightest objects in the night sky will be gathered so tightly together, you can hide them all behind your thumb held at arm's length. See picture.
The celestial triangle will be visible from all parts of the world and will no doubt be widely photographed. Only cloudy weather can spoil the show.
For those of you with telescopes, you’ll be treated to a fantastic view. You’ll be able to see the moons and cloud-belts of Jupiter, the gibbous phase of Venus (69% full), and craters and mountains on the Moon. It's a Grand Tour you won't soon forget.
Finally, look up from the eyepiece and run your eyes across the Moon. Do you see a ghostly image of the full Moon inside the bright horns of the crescent? That's called "Earthshine" or sometimes "the da Vinci glow" because Leonardo da Vinci was the first person to explain it: Sunlight hits Earth and ricochets to the Moon, casting a sheen of light across the dark lunar terrain.
By itself, a crescent Moon with Earthshine is one of the loveliest sights in the heavens. Add Venus and Jupiter and … well ... it's time to stop reading and get out that telescope.

With thanks to NASA for all this interesting stuff!


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[quote=Andy Chapman;4702]



Hi Andy

Our telescope has come to full potential out here with the big sky and lack of street light pollution. Did you see on the news about the lost toolbox in space with the guy from Ontario catching it on his telescope - Lost Tool bag - youtube

Regards Andy + T. C.

No Andy that one must have escaped me as it did most people,
will look at youtube.

Andy

Still heavily overcast here in the UK so once again an opportunity goes missing.

Just 2 more nights and it may not be seen again in my life-time.

1st Dec is supposed to be the most spectacular.

Sky was clear here and the view was stunning. Just need a heated observatory. Looking forward to Monday as Sunday is going to be cloudy here.

A + T C

Hi Andy, and Andy,

Did not see a thing in the sky here. It was heavily overcast, the same for tonight. My last hope will be Monday night, but the forecast says snow flurries and solid cloud then too.
You are right AC the planets will not be as close, or as visible again until 2052, according to the newspaper report. So that counts me out.
How lucky you were Andy, even if you were cold, at least you saw it. What a difference a hundred kms.( or more )makes.

Maybe Traveller will see it in California.

Cheers
Liz

Wow what a change to the day we have SUNSHINE first iv'e seen in a week and maybe just maybe i'll be able to see Venus, Jupiter and the Moon converge tonight.


Andy

No such luck for Ontarians - cloudy, wet, cold and windy for a couple of days. Will have to settle for photos from other parts of the world.

Andy + Team Canada

can someone attach a camera to their telescope thingy please?

Wouldn't like a camera fitted to my thingy TACD