» Topic: Major Astronomical Event Tonight

This topic has 11 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated Dec 2, 2008 at 9:46 pm by anonymous.

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Dec 1, 2008 at 3:27 pm #7828

anonymous
Member

I have an interest in star gazing from time to time. We had cloudy skies last night, but tonight will be prime viewing of Venus and Jupiter with clear skies in northwest Arkansas. The two brightest planets are within finger’s width visually tonight and close to a crescent moon making for a celestial triangle. The next time this will happen is 2052. Check out Sky and Telescope for more details.

This will be visible for the Americas. If you live in Europe you may get the treat of seeing the moon occult Venus.

I’ll try to get some photos. Would enjoy seeing any that ya’ll are able to capture.

Dec 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm #65703

dusty montgomery
Member

I saw this earlier on Fox news. They were in Australia and called it a “celestial smiley face” as the moon sort of creates a mouth with the two planets filling in for the eyes. I would love to see any images you are able to capture. Good luck Scott.
D.

Dec 1, 2008 at 9:11 pm #65704

Mike McKeown
Member

I saw it live, you guys have gotto get out and see it…

Dec 1, 2008 at 11:48 pm #65705

anonymous
Member

I was able to get 40 or so shots just after sunset before a big cloud bank moved in.

Enjoy.

Dec 2, 2008 at 12:56 am #65706

anonymous
Member

One more after the clouds moved away.

Dec 2, 2008 at 1:07 am #65707

John Bennett
Member

Nice Scott.
Were overcast atm, hopefully it clears soon.

Dec 2, 2008 at 2:58 am #65708

benjamin sandoval
Member

Very nice Scott 🙂

Out here in Los Angeles I can see it quite clear for being in the big city with lots of lights everywhere. Although I can’t see any of the smaller star like in your last photo.
Thanks for sharing 😎

Dec 2, 2008 at 3:35 am #65709

anonymous
Member

Guys, this was cool. I did a 100% crop of the two planets. Venus is in the lower left, and Jupiter is in the upper right corner with perhaps two moons (in higher resolution you can see they have slightly longer trails to them than the stars).

Benjamin, neat that you can see it in LA. The Canon photography forum has some shots from Europe of Venus going behind the moon.

Dec 2, 2008 at 4:13 am #65710

Neal Osborn
Member

That is great Scott.

Dec 2, 2008 at 3:39 pm #65711

john michael white
Member

Scott,

The fourth picture you posted is super cool! Beautiful.

Dec 2, 2008 at 8:30 pm #65712

Rob Snowhite
Member

walked the dog at 530 last night and it was awesome.
we live next to a golf course and some fairly large woods so not a whole lot of light pollution.

it was very clear and dark and we had a great view. no camera though, if i had a nickel for every time i said that…………

Dec 2, 2008 at 9:46 pm #65713

anonymous
Member

Thanks everybody. John Michael, that was was probably the best one.

It was good viewing here after the initial cloud bank moved out. I have a security light in my drive way I am going to have to get a light shield or switch for. It interfers way too often with my nighttime viewing.

There will be a pairing of Venus with a crescent moon again on New Year’s Eve this year.
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