JimGilligan's Profile

Back to JimGilligan's Profile Written on 01-Dec-2008 by JimGilligan

When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look south. Beaming through the twilight is one of the prettiest things you'll ever see--a tight three-way conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon. The event is visible from all parts of the world, even from light-polluted cities. People in New York and Hong Kong will see it just as clearly as astronomers watching from remote mountaintops. Only cloudy weather or a midnight sun (sorry Antarctica!) can spoil the show.

The great conjunction offers something extra to Europeans. For more than an hour on Monday evening, the crescent Moon will actually eclipse Venus. Astronomers call such an event a "lunar occultation." Venus emerging from the dark edge of the Moon is a remarkably beautiful sight. Sky watchers across Europe will be able to see this happen.

Visit spaceweather.com for photos, webcasts and more information.

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Tags: astronomy,jupiter,moon,venus,lunar,occulation

Comments

written on 01-Dec-2008
Beckers says:
Thanks for the "Heads up " I will be looking forward to this !!
written on 01-Dec-2008
Dan Hovater says:
You can measure degrees subtended in the sky by by holding your hand at arms length, a thumb is about two degrees, a hand about ten and outstretched thumb to pinkie about 15. Can you hide the moon behind your thumb?
fun with angles-> http://www.mathopenref.com/subtend.html
written on 01-Dec-2008
michbowguy says:
sweet. i hope we can see it!

jamie
written on 02-Dec-2008
catherineglenkrueger says:
what was that in the southwest sky this past weekend,two stars one above the other?
written on 03-Dec-2008
geekmom says:
Was looking forward to this sighting but unfortunately the clouds in my area took all my fun away. We've had rain for days. I'll have to settle for combing the internet for pictures.

Thanks for the link to spaceweather.com. Will be spending some time checking out the site, looks like a great resource!

Have a fantastic week!
written on 03-Dec-2008
JimGilligan says:
Hey GeekMom, sign up for Space Weather's email alerts. I've caught some great auroras that way. Yeah, we had snow that night so Southern Michigan did not get a chance to see the Moon, Venus, Jupiter alignment. Peace, Jim
written on 06-Dec-2008
russell.volckmann [http://www.webjam.com/brandintegrity] says:
Very cool, Jim, thanks. And be sure to check out the night skies on December 13 & 14 for the annual Geminids meteor showers... these can be pretty spectacular if the weather permits!
written on 06-Dec-2008
JimGilligan says:
Thanks, Russell. Shall do...if it's not snowing. We've been getting a lot so far this year.

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