Three Planets in Twilight [Tonight]

Sky and Telescope Magazine ^ | June 24, 2005 | Fred Schaff

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Three Planets in Twilight. Look NNW, 45 minutes after sundown. Here's how to identify the planets

[Zuben Elgenubi]

An unusual sight has lined itself up for skywatchers this week. Gaze low toward the west-northwest in the deepening twilight, and three planets will await your view. One is bright; two are much fainter. You can follow them through their celestial gyrations as they shift position day by day, as shown here and below. If you've got binoculars, bring them along.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Also, LINK HERE and click on the picture to get a Quicktime movie of the movement of the planets over the next few days.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

ooops. Should be "Look WNW". I'm typing with fists.

[Hot Tabasco]

Does this signal the end of the world?

[Dog Gone]

Yes.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Well, I'm on the western edge of the Eastern Time Zone so we'll know the answer to your question in about one hour. I've got my 127mm Mak-Cassegrain set up for digital images; I've got the front row . . .

[Zuben Elgenubi]

There's also a comet just to the east of Spica this evening. With steady hands, binoculars and good skys, you should be able to pick the comet smudge out.

[Hot Tabasco]

All kidding aside, I'd love to check it out but unfortunately I live just N. of Detroit and there is so much artifical light from the cities that I don't think I will be able to see it.

My pheasant hunting spot in N.W. Kansas is so remote that you actually can see every star in the sky. Thats where I'd like to be to check this out......

[Hot Tabasco]

got my 127mm Mak-Cassegrain set up for digital images

Will you be able to post pics?

[eccentric]

RATS! Storm clouds!!

[nuconvert]

Thanks for the heads-up.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

You should really try to observe and you'll see Venus for sure (even in highly light-polluted skies). The challenge is locating Mercury. Oftentimes, one can mistake a star for Mercury but with Venus so close tonight, it's your best chance to get the right sighting in relation to Venus. Saturn will be harder to see in light-polluted skies.

I'll see whether I can post the images at a webservice tomorrow.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Here's the path of comet Tempel 1 near Spica. It's going to be hit by the Deep Impact probe on July 4. I might start an early thread on that project.

[LasVegasMac]

Will try to look, thanks for posting this.

Big fires to the west of the valley and more smoke from CA blowing in. :(

LVM

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Call eccentric from post #10 and see whether you can borrow the storm clouds. Seriously, there's always an ideal night to observe but it normally not where I'm at. Or it's a great sky and I don't have my equipment. Always somethin, Lucy.

[Larry Lucido]

I'm in Southfield. Not a single light in the sky. I think Kwame cancelled it due to budget problems.

[jch10]

I just went out and looked......awesome!! Only the bright one is visible here in NW Florida.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Get some binoculars quick and focus in on Venus. Then you'll see Mercury. There are plenty of amateur astronomers who've never observed Mercury. It's a sighting to remember, particularly with the unaided eye.

[sushiman]

Thanks for posting this ...I'm in rural Japan , where the night skies are quite clear ...Going to take a look tonight ...

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I just check the "Latest Articles". Posted this 35 minutes ago and already have 345 views. I wonder how many are running outside instead of taking a shower?