Posted on 02/14/2010 9:14:55 AM PST by ETL
SUNSET TRIANGLE: When the sun sets on Valentine's Day, grab your binoculars and dash outside. Jupiter, Venus and an unbelievably slender crescent Moon are converging to form a triangle in the glow of sunset. Scan the western horizon for a beautiful view:
Sky map:
http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=14&month=02&year=2010
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceweather.com ...
Although the SpaceWeather piece advises you use binoculars, I'm pretty sure all of these objects will be observable by eye alone, definitely Mars and Venus, and the thin crescent moon should be (I could be wrong). The problem seeing them is that they are so close to the Sun in the sky at this time. The SW report above describes them as "a triangle in the glow of sunset". So your best chance of seeing them is just *BEFORE* they actually set (6:04PM for Venus, 6:18PM for Jupiter). Because that is when the sky will be darkest (prior to their setting). Makes sense?
If I’m home in time I’ll see if I can get a fotergraph.
I’m in Seattle. All I will see is a dark cloudy sky. ;(
LOL yeah, clouds are something I failed to take into account.
Of course if you have binoculars or a telly, use them. Just don’t point them at the friggin Sun, go blind and hire some blood-sucking liberal lawyer to sue me!
Forgot to mention, sunset is currently about 5:30PM. Venus is now setting approximately 6:04PM, Jupiter ~6:18PM.
RE: sunset is currently about 5:30PM. Venus is now setting approximately 6:04PM, Jupiter ~6:18PM.
Come to think of it, you probably WILL need binoculars to see them, as they are less than an hour behind the sun.
Binoculars are about all I’ll be able to use. Can’t set my telescope up because there’s about two and a half feet of snow in the yard.
..in other words, the portion of the sky that they are in will still be relatively bright, compared to the nighttime sky.
Thanks! I’ll be watching! :)
ping
When the Moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars!
sorry, couldn’t resist!! :)
Harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions, golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelations, and the mind’s true liberation
But as I followed up, it might be very difficult to see Venus, Jupiter and even the extremely thin crescent moon without binoculars, as they will be in a fairly light sky very near the setting sun. You can try, though.
Mars, on the other hand, is very easy to see at this time (see above for details). Earth is presently at a "near approach" to Mars. Every 26-27 months, the time it takes Earth to catch up to Mars in our lane 3 of the circular racetrack we call the Solar System. Mars is in lane 4 and moves somewhat more slowly around the Sun. One Mars year is apprx 20 months. Of course it's orbit is larger as well.
Thanks for the info.
If, for any reason, you don’t see this grouping tonight, you can always try again tomorrow. However, as each day goes by, the Sun will appear to move closer and closer to Jupiter. Venus, though, will appear to move along *with* the Sun and actually move farther and farther east of it in the coming weeks and months. Not long from now (few weeks?), Venus will once again shine very brightly as an “evening star”.
Aquarius.....Aquarius!!!!!
The 5th Dimension - Aquarius:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANwIgpha7k
And love will steer the stars!
LOL It is Valentine’s Day.
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