An Astronomical Treat
Moderators: Guru's, The Ministry
- Kevin Farnell
- Vintage Pair
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: 26 Jun 2004, 13:29
- Location: Willingham, Cambridge UK.
- Contact:
An Astronomical Treat
I went a walk to the village shop this evening at around 5:30pm. A clear sky, afforded me a wonderful view of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus aligned on the ecliptic plane. Venus looks huge at the moment (although by 6pm, it was be below the horizon), I'm assuming that it's at or near to it's closest approach to Earth.
A similar view should be possible tomorrow (weather permitting), but to see Venus, you'll need to be looking as soon as it gets dark.
Here's a view of the Moon and Planetary line up as it appeared at 5:14pm from my vantage point, just north of Cambridge.
The screenshot was taken with the excellent FREE software 'Stellarium', which is available for Windows, Mac and Linux from -
https://stellarium.org/
Kevin
A similar view should be possible tomorrow (weather permitting), but to see Venus, you'll need to be looking as soon as it gets dark.
Here's a view of the Moon and Planetary line up as it appeared at 5:14pm from my vantage point, just north of Cambridge.
The screenshot was taken with the excellent FREE software 'Stellarium', which is available for Windows, Mac and Linux from -
https://stellarium.org/
Kevin
Stratospheric traces, of our transitory flight.
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
Re: An Astronomical Treat
Thanks for the tip, Kevin. I went outside at sunset and enjoyed the view.
Brian
Brian
- Airspeed
- Red Arrows
- Posts: 9338
- Joined: 14 Sep 2011, 03:46
- Location: Central Victorian Highlands, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Australia
- Contact:
Re: An Astronomical Treat
We have that on our mobiles, Kevin. Agree, it's a good app.Kevin Farnell wrote: ↑10 Dec 2021, 21:59.....
Here's a view of the Moon and Planetary line up as it appeared at 5:14pm from my vantage point, just north of Cambridge.
......
The screenshot was taken with the excellent FREE software 'Stellarium', which is available for Windows, Mac and Linux from -
https://stellarium.org/
Kevin
Re: An Astronomical Treat
WOW!! never knew you could see Jupiter let alone Saturn that clearly. Will have to watch out for them tonight.
Regards
Nigel.
Regards
Nigel.
I used to be an optimist but with age I am now a grumpy old pessimist.
Re: An Astronomical Treat
Isn't there a comet visible at the moment, or soon to be so ?
- Kevin Farnell
- Vintage Pair
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: 26 Jun 2004, 13:29
- Location: Willingham, Cambridge UK.
- Contact:
Re: An Astronomical Treat
I assume that with Texas being further south than the UK, they were higher in the sky and visible until later. Hope you enjoyed the sight.
Kevin
Stratospheric traces, of our transitory flight.
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
- Kevin Farnell
- Vintage Pair
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: 26 Jun 2004, 13:29
- Location: Willingham, Cambridge UK.
- Contact:
Re: An Astronomical Treat
It's not a photo, Nigel. It's a screenshot from the Stellarum program. In reality the moon looked somewhat larger and Saturn a little smaller, but there is a definite reddish colour to Saturn when viewed with the naked eye. Binoculars or a telescope would obviously give a better view.
Sadly, rain is forecast for this evening (at least here in Cambridgeshire), but the alignment should remain (the Moon may differ) for some time yet.
Kevin
Stratospheric traces, of our transitory flight.
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
Re: An Astronomical Treat
Re: An Astronomical Treat
If we're Lucky!FlyTexas wrote: ↑11 Dec 2021, 17:02Yep, comet Leonard.
https://www.planetary.org/articles/how- ... et-leonard
Brian
Astrologists are saying, it's not getting brighter.
..
https://www.space.com/comet-leonard-fad ... -splitting
- Kevin Farnell
- Vintage Pair
- Posts: 2083
- Joined: 26 Jun 2004, 13:29
- Location: Willingham, Cambridge UK.
- Contact:
Re: An Astronomical Treat
That's all right, I don't believe in Astrology.airboatr wrote: ↑11 Dec 2021, 18:12
If we're Lucky!
Astrologists are saying, it's not getting brighter.
..
https://www.space.com/comet-leonard-fad ... -splitting
Kevin
Stratospheric traces, of our transitory flight.
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...
Trails of condensation, held in narrow paths of white...