Moon and Jupiter do a dance

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Ulysses

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Tonight, you'll have the opportunity to capture a nice conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter, as they do-si-do around one another. Catch it if you can!

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Ulysses
 
According to "Tomorrows World" there is also an interesting line up of all Planets out to the West, just after sunset. This is visible since yesterday and until beginning of May. (in the UK)

Apparently you have to go out into the garden just after sunset and look straight west, and they are all lined up.

Now we have just got to wait for some nice weather (it is cloudy since yesterday....typical)

Sabine
http://photo.msn.s8.com/MS8zLzAvMS8xMDI5LzE1NS8zMi90N0xxT2x2b2paZ3g4QzFpNVRreXZ3/955d7895b1c9f5d6bb531dd7c086eda2/clbk=*EtEZjHm6cre6S8BYRl9YQfLHtSCoCCgW !HY*0IUiKrO*S21kMR5grU1G6oGcPNLQKiFVOaaDhY$ jpg.jpg
Tonight, you'll have the opportunity to capture a nice conjunction
of the Moon and Jupiter, as they do-si-do around one another. Catch
it if you can!

--

Ulysses
 
Yes!! This is an event that won't be repeated for at least another 100 years. It is a unique alignment and will present some easy and spectactular photo and telescope opportunities. Catch this while you can.

The optimal times are from now on until May 5th, which is the date when Mercury (the toughest to see of the five planets) will be at its greatest separation from the sun.

The following simulation is a set of animated frames as seen from NYC between 4/18 and 5/5 at 8:30 p.m. (or 01:30 GMT). In other words, each frame represents a specific night at 8:30.

Actually, you might stand a better chance if you are outside and looking west at about 7:30. It will be a little bright, but you run the risk of missing Mercury as it sets so quickly after the sun. Better to be out earlier than later.


According to "Tomorrows World" there is also an interesting line up
of all Planets out to the West, just after sunset. This is visible
since yesterday and until beginning of May. (in the UK)
Apparently you have to go out into the garden just after sunset and
look straight west, and they are all lined up.

Now we have just got to wait for some nice weather (it is cloudy
since yesterday....typical)
 
This is what I managed tonight. The planets are not exactly lined up, but it was about 8:50pm, so things might have moved on by then.

Can anyone with any sky knowledege help what these white dots actually are (the big white one is the moon...) ?



Greetings
Sabine
 
Well, not all that bright. Castor failed math and Procyon was a real dunce at languages.

If they failed to pass, would that mean they were retrograde? (Ouch!)

-Ed (Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.) W.
BTW, Castor, Pollux and Procyon are all bright stars.
 
Heheheh... {whew} At least I didn't have to go and use a dictionary again. :)

Good to see ya around. Took a hiatus?
 
Heheheh... {whew} At least I didn't have to go and use a dictionary
again. :)

Good to see ya around. Took a hiatus?
Had a hiatus. Took pennicillin.

Just been busy working on the pond and yard. It's looking good—I'll post a pic. Played Max Payne 3 times and a little Silent Hunter II took a lot of time away from the 'net. Haven't had too many photo-ops so haven't posted much.

But I've kept my reference shelf dusted off so stand by.

-Ed (Busier than a cat covering cr@p on a marble floor) W.
 
Tonight, you'll have the opportunity to capture a nice conjunction
of the Moon and Jupiter, as they do-si-do around one another. Catch
it if you can!
--

Ulysses
Hi Ulysses

We had a beautiful, clear, night. I really wish I was out at my in laws farm instead of here in suburbia.

I was able to see many stars/planets, but not able to get them in a photo. In the event of another clear night in the next few weeks, can you give me any specific pointers?What basic steps would you use? (I know that for the comet a while back you suggested a long exposure. It was never clear here then, so I never saw it. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2448634 ) Now this camera has me star gazing!!!!

The simulations that you post are so very cool. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

Ann
 
Thanks Ulysses

That's cool, I actually caught Castor and Pollux ???

That little star in the bottom left corner looked really nice, shame I didn't have binoculars.

If I did catch the Moon and Jupiter, where were the rest of the stars from the line up ?

I was sure that bright thing was actually Venus, not Jupiter, but that shows how much I know about those dots in the sky...

Thanks again
Sabine
 
Anne -

You'll need to plan it out.

Figure out when you'll be able to get a clear night by going to Accuweather.com

Then let me know what date you'd like to get out there with your camera, and I can then run a simulation for you as seen from someplace like Edmonton, CAN.
Tonight, you'll have the opportunity to capture a nice conjunction
of the Moon and Jupiter, as they do-si-do around one another. Catch
it if you can!
--

Ulysses
Hi Ulysses

We had a beautiful, clear, night. I really wish I was out at my in
laws farm instead of here in suburbia.
I was able to see many stars/planets, but not able to get them in a
photo. In the event of another clear night in the next few weeks,
can you give me any specific pointers?What basic steps would you
use? (I know that for the comet a while back you suggested a long
exposure. It was never clear here then, so I never saw it.
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2448634 )
Now this camera has me star gazing!!!!
The simulations that you post are so very cool. Thank you so much
for sharing your knowledge with us.

Ann
 
Either drive out into the country, or else get to a tower somewhere. You need elevation up above the tops of the buildings.

Believe me, if you can catch a shot of all five in one picture (perhaps holding the camera in portrait mode), then you will truly have captured a once-in-a-lifetime event. This is not due to happen again for roughly another hundred years or so.
Ahh, I see, the other planets are further down the horizon, so I
haven't got a chance to see them, as there is a house in the way (I
live in London).

Hmm, will have to take lots of pictures of Jupiter then....or drive
for some miles to get out into the country side (country ? what's
that ? )
 
Didn't have the time to drive to the country again, and I also need a Tripod (most of my shots are semi-handheld).

If you want to see all of them, they are here:

http://www.pbase.com/madpiano/night_and_fog

The sky was kind of red tonight due to a slight layer of clouds. I have corrected it in some pics, as it looked weird.

Ulysses, could you do me the favour again, to tell me what I saw in these pics ? (these dots in the sky will forever confuse me). That would be great.(you may have to pop over to Pbase to get the large image, as I didn't want to post that here)

Sabine



 
Ahh, looking at your explanations from the other day again, the 3 stars in the big Triangle are Castor Pollux and Jupiter, right ?

I will learn this one day....
 
Wow, Ulysses, amazing !

Where can I learn this stuff ?

I know, there is these star maps (I don't live far from Greenwich), but I can't seem to be able to read them....

Is there anything on-line ?

Thanks a bunch again
Sabine


Does that help?
Ahh, looking at your explanations from the other day again, the 3
stars in the big Triangle are Castor Pollux and Jupiter, right ?

I will learn this one day....
 

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