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Conjunction
Did you see the planetary conjunction in the evening
sky?
The five optical planets were (near) in line, in the same part
of the sky
Unfortunately the conjunction now seems to be past
To see them, look to the west and note the position
of the settin sun
From 30 minutes later, the two markers, Jupiter and Venus should
be visible on a line diagonally up and to the left at an angle
of 45 degrees to the horizon, approximately, when viewed from
the UK. Jupiter is high in the sky, Venus much closer to where
the sun set.
Arranged around Venus are the other contenders.
Next brightest is Saturn, now (1st May) just below the line from
Venus to Jupiter, about 20% of the distance.
Close to Saturn (up and to the right) is Mars, distinctly orange
compared with the others.
Then down and to the right from Venus is the normally very elusive
Mercury. In the last week I have seen it 4 of 5 times, when the
western sky was clear, whereas I had only ever seen it once previously.
Now, to help location, I have tabulated measurements,
based on separations as measured on a 300 mm rule held at arms
length, approximately 500 mm from my eyes.
Layout
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mars
Jupiter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saturn - - - Venus
- - - Mercury
(Perhaps Mars is closer to the line between Jupiter and Venus,
but it is less visible than Saturn)
Distances measured along ecliptic (line of planets) EXCEPT
Venus/Mercury to horizon (directly down)
Times taken at 22:00 in Rotherham, GMT plus 1 hour, sunset
approx 21:00 (20:01 on 1st May according to my GPS). The table
will be updated when possible (clear sky and looking at 22:00
hours)
|
Separation at 500 mm |
Jupiter to Saturn |
Saturn to Venus |
Saturn to Mars |
Mars to Venus |
Venus to Mercury |
Venus to horizon |
Mercury to horizon |
|
29 April |
270 |
90 |
30 |
- |
60 |
100 |
60 |
|
1 May |
260 |
50 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
70 |
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Later seen on 3 May whilst driving up the A1, but not
in Scotland on 5 and 6 May (twilight too light, or horizon too
high).
On 11th May, conditions seemed suitable in the Lake
District, Mars beyond Venus (i.e. moved past and to lower right).
Could not confirm Mercury and Saturn (both then close to horizon,
acording to charts)
19 May: Picked out one fainter planet below Venus;
others apparently moved on.
'Best' astronomical event I've seen since the eclipse
(August 1999)
Note: the planets close to the horizon can readily be distinguished
from stars (a) because there are none as bright nad (b) even if
nearly so, they do not 'twinkle'; stars near the horizon inveriable
twinkle as they are points of light, whereas however small planets
have a real size. With good binoculars, you may see Jupiter's
moons.
See links for the BBC
Once in a Lifetme Show , but covering about 38 degrees, almost
400 mm at arms length, rather than the 10 degrees / tenis ball
at arms length quoted.
and other BBC
pages
(currently showing pictures from Hubble)
You can also re-watch the BBC
Sky at Night programme
Featuring additional
links and information
BBC
Science (Seeing Stars)
BBC
Sky at Night
Science
Net - Night Sky
And last, but in all seriousness:
the disclaimer - irredeemably boring, according to Robin.
Last update 1 May, 2002 by Henry Marston, henry@NOThmarston.co.uk
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