Spectacular Sky Scene Monday Evening

2008-12-01 12:27:54

#1

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7047|132 and Bush

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20081128/ … dayevening

Every once in a while, something will appear in the night sky that will attract the attention of even those who normally don't bother looking up. It's likely to be that way on Monday evening, Dec. 1.

A slender crescent moon, just 15-percent illuminated, will appear in very close proximity to the two brightest planets in our sky, Venus and Jupiter.

People who are unaware or have no advance notice will almost certainly wonder, as they cast a casual glance toward the moon on that night, what those two "large silvery stars" happen to be? Sometimes, such an occasion brings with it a sudden spike of phone calls to local planetariums, weather offices and even police precincts. Not a few of these calls excitedly inquire about "the UFOs" that are hovering in the vicinity of our natural satellite.

Look south tonight.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2008-12-01 12:29:25

#2

Parker: isteal; +1,452|6841|The Gem Saloon

you gonna get take some pictures?

2008-12-01 12:29:39

#3

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6775

sweet! I'll be outside, with some warm clothes on tonight.

You know, it makes sense to me that we would be able to see Jupiter, but Venus? I figured since we are facing away from the sun at night, how could we see Venus?

Last edited by Im_Dooomed (2008-12-01 12:32:04)

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-12-01 12:32:07

#4

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7047|132 and Bush

Parker wrote:
you gonna get take some pictures?

I'll try, my camera remote broke. I'll either have to set the timer or do it manually (might blur). Look just after sunset btw.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2008-12-01 12:34:24

#5

Parker: isteal; +1,452|6841|The Gem Saloon

Kmarion wrote:
Parker wrote:
you gonna get take some pictures?
I'll try, my camera remote broke. I'll either have to set the timer or do it manually (might blur). Look just after sunset btw.

ill be there with bells on.

im gonna set up my camera, but i dont know if i will get anything.....ill damn sure try though, cause i caught that last lunar eclipse much more than i had anticipated.

2008-12-01 12:36:51

#6

Spidery_Yoda: Member; +399|6717

I've been watching those 2 bright lights for the last few days. I knew one was Venus.

Anyway i'll definitely have a look

2008-12-01 12:37:06

#7

El Beardo: steel woolly mammoth; +150|6167|Gulf Coast

I'll have to break out the telescope. The crescent moon looks pretty awesome IMO, you can see the shadows stretching over the surface. I hope it doesn't rain

Important

2008-12-01 12:37:56

#8

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7047|132 and Bush

Im_Dooomed wrote:
sweet! I'll be outside, with some warm clothes on tonight.

You know, it makes sense to me that we would be able to see Jupiter, but Venus? I figured since we are facing away from the sun at night, how could we see Venus?

Venus will be the brightest of the two planets.. of course. You can only see Venus at certain times of the night. When the angle is just right before sunrise/set.

Europe will experience occulation.

Venus 'eclipse' for Europe

As beautiful as the view of Venus, Jupiter and the moon will be from North America, an even more spectacular sight awaits those living in parts of Western Europe where the moon will pass in front of Venus.

Astronomers refer to this phenomenon as an "occultation," taken from the Latin word occultāre, which means "to conceal." This eye-catching sight will be visible in complete darkness across much of Eastern Europe. Farther west, Venus will disappear behind the dark part of the moon either during evening twilight or just before the Sun sets. When Venus emerges, it will look like a brightening jewel on the slender lunar crescent. For virtually all of Europe, the Sun will have set by then, the exception being southern Portugal (including Lisbon).

Such favorable circumstances are quite rare for any given location. For example, the last time London was treated to such a favorably placed Venus occultation such was back on October 7, 1961. And after 2008, there will not be another similarly favorable Venus occultation for the United Kingdom until January 10, 2032. So be sure to make the most of this upcoming opportunity. More detailed information, including maps of the occultation zone, as well as times for dozens of European cities, are here.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2008-12-01 12:40:29

#9

Parker: isteal; +1,452|6841|The Gem Saloon

DrPeePeeFace wrote:
I hope it doesn't rain

https://www.meikathon.net/roflmao/facepalm4.jpg

fuck me.
its been snowing on and off all day. no sun, at all....i am definitely not seeing this

2008-12-01 12:43:09

#10

menzo: ̏̏̏̏̏̏̏̏&#; +616|6893|Amsterdam‫

clouds here

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee37/menzo2003/fredbf2.png

2008-12-01 12:43:29

#11

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7047|132 and Bush

Parker wrote:
DrPeePeeFace wrote:
I hope it doesn't rain
http://www.meikathon.net/roflmao/facepalm4.jpg

fuck me.
its been snowing on and off all day. no sun, at all....i am definitely not seeing this

It will be there tomorrow.. just not as tight. I actually saw a preview last night.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2008-12-01 13:03:03

#12

Parker: isteal; +1,452|6841|The Gem Saloon

well the forecast says its going to clear up, but we will see...

2008-12-01 13:07:24

#13

Stimey: +786|6567|Ontario | Canada

Snowing here

2008-12-01 13:20:36

#14

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6775

Kmarion wrote:
It will be there tomorrow.. just not as tight. I actually saw a preview last night.

Ya, how long is it gonna be like that? Or, relatively like that? Because I kinda had this idea with a chick...Lawn chairs, blankets, hot chocolate and star gazing...

If I cant pull this off tomorrow then it'll have to wait till next week Monday

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-12-01 13:31:09

#15

some_random_panda: Flamesuit essential; +454|6837

I saw it last night - looking over west from Melbourne, you could see all three in a nice tight cluster at about 10 pm.

Btw, if you turn around, there's a cluster of bright stars in the opposite direction, but they're not actually anything significant.

2008-12-01 13:33:52

#16

Schwarzelungen: drunklenglungen; +133|6743|Bloomington Indiana

makes me a bit happier that i get to walk home around this time tonight

2008-12-01 13:35:22

#17

kylef: Gone; +1,352|6940|N. Ireland

Will keep a look out for it, this sort of thing is always pretty fascinating to see.

2008-12-01 14:55:37

#18

El Beardo: steel woolly mammoth; +150|6167|Gulf Coast

well, it's almost dark here and wouldn't you know it.....clouds stupid Florida weather!! It's clear out, now it's cloudy, now it's clear, now it's cold, no wait now it's hot, cold, clear......cloudy.

Important

2008-12-01 15:09:16