Published Date:
26 November 2008
By Staff Copy
Perhaps the most fascinating celestial spectacle this year takes place in the late afternoon and early evening on Monday when Jupiter and Venus, respectively the fourth and third brightest celestial objects in the sky after the sun and moon, are in conjunction.
They lie just 2° apart, the distance between two finger widths at arms length. Venus is the brighter of the two objects and lies just to the south of Jupiter.
However, at sunset the thin crescent moon is in conjunction with both planets, and if you watch the moon at sunset (at around 15.45) through binoculars you will see an occultation of Venus by the moon.
The planet will seem to disappear as the dark limb of the moon passes over it. The moon and planets at the time are low in the SSW.
For the next one and a half hours Venus will be hidden behind the moon, but at around 17.15 Venus reappears from the edge of the crescent in an “explosion” of light and remains in view close to the moon until they set at around 18.30.
This is a good opportunity for a spot of astrophotography. The view through binoculars will be absolutely stunning! Let’s hope the skies are clear.
John Harper
President and founder
Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society
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Last Updated:
24 November 2008 11:06 AM
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Source:
Malton & Pickering Mercury
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Location:
Malton
