Venus And Jupiter Together

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Darrell
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Venus And Jupiter Together

Post by Darrell »

If you're an early riser, you've doubtless noticed Venus in the ENE before sunrise, appearing to be a very bright "star" rising an hour or so before the sun lately. Last week another bright "star" became visible below Venus, and climbing a bit nearer each day. That is actually Jupiter. They will be at their closest before sunrise on Monday, August 18:
Close Venus-Jupiter Conjunction on August 18th

By: Bob King | August 13, 2014

Here's your invitation to a spectacular close conjunction of the sky's two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, next Monday morning.
Venus-Jupiter_18Aug2014_f.jpg
Planets pair up plenty often in the sky, but rarely do they dance this closely. During Venus and Jupiter's close conjunction shortly before dawn on Monday, August 18th, they'll be separated by only 1⁄3° or less. It's the very best planet-planet meetup of 2014 — in fact, these two worlds haven't paired so closely since 2000.

And it all happens right next door to Messier 44, the Beehive Cluster, in the constellation Cancer the Crab.

The two planets' tight dance will be brief. Venus is headed toward the eastern horizon and solar conjunction, while Jupiter only recently escaped the glare of the sun. With every morning, Jupiter rises a little higher in the east and Venus a little lower. As the two planets trot off in different directions, we'll see them slowly approach and separate.
You can read the rest here:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronom ... -08132014/

A low power view through binoculars might, and through a small telescope will, reveal the four moons of Jupiter in the same view as the two planets. If you're in Europe the planets will be even closer together.
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Eppur si muove--Galileo
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Yogimus
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Re: Venus And Jupiter Together

Post by Yogimus »

Saw over 20 meteorites tonight
BDK
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Re: Venus And Jupiter Together

Post by BDK »

I predict much hippiness...
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Darrell
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Re: Venus And Jupiter Together

Post by Darrell »

I went to work a half hour early, taking along the little 5" Maksutov scope and tripod. I set up on the parking lot, and showed people the conjunction as they arrived for day shift. Just as advertised, it was very pretty, Venus and Jupiter together in the eyepiece, with the four Galilean moons also visible, two to either side of Jupiter.
Eppur si muove--Galileo
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dfwmtx
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Re: Venus And Jupiter Together

Post by dfwmtx »

Hmmm, let's hope Mars isn't jealous.
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Darrell
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Re: Venus And Jupiter Together

Post by Darrell »

There should be a nice photo opportunity this Saturday before sunrise--a old, slender crescent moon will be joining the two planets.
Eppur si muove--Galileo
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