Venus and Jupiter conjunction

[Dave]

Are you wondering what those two bright objects are in the Southwest sky during the evening? It is a conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter. A planetary conjunction refers to two planets that share the same right ascension in the sky's dome.

With the exception of the sun and moon, Venus is the brightest light in the heavens and Jupiter is the second brightest.

During previous recent conjunctions a bright moon nearby has washed out the brightness. For this conjunction only a waxing crescent moon will be nearby. A conjunction of the two brightest planets will not happen again until March of 2012.

On Sunday and Monday evening the two planets will only be 2 degrees apart. This is about the same width of the Moon or about the width of your finger at an arms length away.

In case you are wondering it is possible for two planets to appear to merge into a single point of light. This is called an occultation. The last one occured in 1818. The next one will not occur until 2065.

The weather during the next several evenings looks fairly favorable for viewing this event. Just look where the sun has set. You will not be able to miss it.

Source:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=ind&storyid=19579&source=0

And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrate it.

[Aslkahuna]

The Venus-Jupiter Conjunction in 2012 will occur prior to the June 8 2012 Transit of Venus-the last such one this Century. Venus-Jupiter Conjunctions can never have more than a waxing or waning Crescent Moon nearby since Venus never gets more than 46 degrees from the Sun in the sky. Venus-Moon conjunctions occur every month though many are visible in daylight only or from other than the US. Most are wide but some are very close and occultations (eclipses) of Venus by the Moon can occur. An occultation of Jupiter by Venus has been proposed as one explanation of the Star of Bethlehem since it was preceeded by a very close conjunction of the two in the morning sky a year previously.

Steve

[JonathanBelles]

I've been watching it quite closely. Our astronomy department at SPC has been posting announcements all over the science building for a while.

[lurkey]

from Australia

[JonathanBelles]

from Australia

Here the moon is on top of the other two and a little off to the left.

[RL3AO]

From Minnesota




Note: It was cold out and I didn't have a tripod so please excuse the not so steady image..

[Crostorm]

Croatia