photograph by Martin Mc Kenna
The Best sky view of the year - this afternoon, Monday 1 December 2008: look out this afternoon after the Sun sets to see the most impressive night sky view of the year!
Triple Conjunction, Occultation and ISS passes
Triple conjunction: After the Sun sets this afternoon, Monday 1 December 2008, look towards the south: Jupiter, Venus and the crescent Moon are now in a beautiful conjunction that some astronomers are calling "the best sky show of the year". This is a wonderful photograph opportunity, as Venus and Jupiter are the two brightest 'starlike' objects in the night sky.
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Occultation: Today the Moon will be so close to Venus that it will actually occult it! The following times are for disappearance and reappearance, to the nearest minute:
ISS passes: And, don't forget to check the ISS passing times (which will pass around the same sky area, from west to south) on the Heavens Above website (http://www.heavens-above.com; change the location for your own area).
Occultation details, from Terry Moseley: Venus disappearance will occur at the ENE limb of the Moon. If you canтАЩt actually see the dark (actually Earthlit) portion of the Moon due to sky brightness, just mentally тАШcomplete the circleтАЩ of the MoonтАЩs outline, to see where the disappearance will occur. Reappearance will be at the West limb of the Moon.
Although disappearance occurs with the Sun above the horizon, both the 13.7% illuminated Moon, and brilliant Venus at magnitude -4.1 should be readily visible if the sky is clear. You should also be able to locate Jupiter 2 degrees to the North in binoculars or a wide field telescope.
The phase of Venus will be about 69%, because it is coming round from Superior Conjunction, on the far side of the Sun. VenusтАЩs diameter will be about 16.5тАЭ (arcsecs), so any telescope will show it as a bit more than тАШhalf fullтАЩ. Jupiter will be noticeably fainter at magnitude -2.0, but easily visible after Venus has reappeared, when the sky will be darker.