Jupiter Meets Venus - How Close will they go?
Jupiter Meets Venus - How Close will they go?
Look Southwest at sunset and the two bright stars you see will be Venus and Jupiter. As the month progresses they will get closer and closer together. How close ...? I'm not telling. You'll have to keep watching to know.
Log your reports. How close together are they each week. You can use you hands to measure the distance in degrees. (see http://www.geocities.com/angolano/Astro ... inSky.html)
Also, slap that digital camera on a tripod and you should be able to image these bright objects for more accurate measurements.
Log your reports. How close together are they each week. You can use you hands to measure the distance in degrees. (see http://www.geocities.com/angolano/Astro ... inSky.html)
Also, slap that digital camera on a tripod and you should be able to image these bright objects for more accurate measurements.
I'll start an entry here and edit it as the conjunction progresses.
Sunday November 9, 17:30 - Jupiter and Venus are exactly one hand width, with thumb and pinky fully spread, at full arm's length. This is about 20 degrees, although Starry Night says 21.30.
November 10 (233d birthday of the United States Marine Corps!!!) 17:30 - By hand measurement, very little change noted. Starry Night says 20 degrees 30' so that means about a 1 degree change in 24 hours. I'm going to have to calibrate my hand a bit better....
Sunday November 9, 17:30 - Jupiter and Venus are exactly one hand width, with thumb and pinky fully spread, at full arm's length. This is about 20 degrees, although Starry Night says 21.30.
November 10 (233d birthday of the United States Marine Corps!!!) 17:30 - By hand measurement, very little change noted. Starry Night says 20 degrees 30' so that means about a 1 degree change in 24 hours. I'm going to have to calibrate my hand a bit better....
Last edited by Rotorhead on Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bob M
15" f5 Starsplitter Dob/80mm Finder
5" Explore Scientific triplet APO on a Vixen Sphinx GEM
________
"He numbers all the stars, and calls each one by name." Ps 147:4
15" f5 Starsplitter Dob/80mm Finder
5" Explore Scientific triplet APO on a Vixen Sphinx GEM
________
"He numbers all the stars, and calls each one by name." Ps 147:4
Sunday, November 9 from the post-game tailgate session at the parking lot after the Patriots-Bills game.
Despite a periodically cloudy sky, the second,third and fourth most bright objects in the sky (Luna, Venus and Jupiter respectively) moved through the southwestern sky shortly after sunset. I concur with Bob's seperation assessment and the Moon was high in the southern sky... fellow tailgaters were amazed that they could see planets so easily...
Despite a periodically cloudy sky, the second,third and fourth most bright objects in the sky (Luna, Venus and Jupiter respectively) moved through the southwestern sky shortly after sunset. I concur with Bob's seperation assessment and the Moon was high in the southern sky... fellow tailgaters were amazed that they could see planets so easily...
Galactus, Devourer of Worlds
AKA, George H
8" Meade LX90
66mm AT Guide Scope, cameras, etc.
25X100 Zhumell Binos w/Pete's Pipes
Bolt of Light Technologies Laser
Friends to observe with=Priceless
AKA, George H
8" Meade LX90
66mm AT Guide Scope, cameras, etc.
25X100 Zhumell Binos w/Pete's Pipes
Bolt of Light Technologies Laser
Friends to observe with=Priceless
Venus and Jupiter - 10/10/08 @ 5:00pm
This evening, I have them separated by two fingers more than I can spread my thumb and pinky, or about 22 degrees. BobM must have more hand flexibility. You go guy!
I was cutting the lawn when both first were visible. My plan was to run in and grab the camera. These babies are going to may for some great digital sunset/star conjunction pictures.
But, of course, by the time I was done mowing, a huge bank of clouds rolled in.
Maybe tomorrow I have a good shot.
BobS
I was cutting the lawn when both first were visible. My plan was to run in and grab the camera. These babies are going to may for some great digital sunset/star conjunction pictures.
But, of course, by the time I was done mowing, a huge bank of clouds rolled in.
Maybe tomorrow I have a good shot.
BobS
George Wrote:
George, from the parking lot of the Pats game? Are you sure those were planets and not the lights in the parking lot? I have to ask because I know you didnt have your Go-To SCT to confirm it.Sunday, November 9 from the post-game tailgate session at the parking lot after the Patriots-Bills game.
Despite a periodically cloudy sky, the second,third and fourth most bright objects in the sky (Luna, Venus and Jupiter respectively) moved through the southwestern sky shortly after sunset. I concur with Bob's seperation assessment and the Moon was high in the southern sky... fellow tailgaters were amazed that they could see planets so easily...
Paul...
16" f/5 Night Sky Truss (Midnight Mistress)
10" f/5 Home built Dob with Parks mirror.
Pre-Meade PST
Celestron Skymaster Binos 25-125x80
Meade Travelview Binos 10x50
See that 16" in the sleek black dress? She is all mine. :)
16" f/5 Night Sky Truss (Midnight Mistress)
10" f/5 Home built Dob with Parks mirror.
Pre-Meade PST
Celestron Skymaster Binos 25-125x80
Meade Travelview Binos 10x50
See that 16" in the sleek black dress? She is all mine. :)
Hey, Paul, I even found the moon without Go-To! Gee, I must be a real astronomer!Paul D wrote:George Wrote:
George, from the parking lot of the Pats game? Are you sure those were planets and not the lights in the parking lot? I have to ask because I know you didnt have your Go-To SCT to confirm it.Sunday, November 9 from the post-game tailgate session at the parking lot after the Patriots-Bills game.
Despite a periodically cloudy sky, the second,third and fourth most bright objects in the sky (Luna, Venus and Jupiter respectively) moved through the southwestern sky shortly after sunset. I concur with Bob's seperation assessment and the Moon was high in the southern sky... fellow tailgaters were amazed that they could see planets so easily...
Galactus, Devourer of Worlds
AKA, George H
8" Meade LX90
66mm AT Guide Scope, cameras, etc.
25X100 Zhumell Binos w/Pete's Pipes
Bolt of Light Technologies Laser
Friends to observe with=Priceless
AKA, George H
8" Meade LX90
66mm AT Guide Scope, cameras, etc.
25X100 Zhumell Binos w/Pete's Pipes
Bolt of Light Technologies Laser
Friends to observe with=Priceless
Gene..sshhh dont tell anyone but i own a go-to.It never go to's the right object and i refuse to believe its operator error.
Joe
10" Hardin Dob
12" f5 Antares Dob
Classic 10" Cave
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Some people are like Slinkey's.Totaly useless ,but they sure put a smile on youre face when you push them down the stairs.
10" Hardin Dob
12" f5 Antares Dob
Classic 10" Cave
------------------------
Some people are like Slinkey's.Totaly useless ,but they sure put a smile on youre face when you push them down the stairs.