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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

A nice Jupiter & Lunar Conjunction all night

28 November 2012

Sky lovers...take notice tonight.

The just past Full Moon will pair up with the planet Jupiter and travel the night sky together. The two will be closest to each other at 6:00 pm Chicago time - but the two worlds will be pretty much tight, (about 2.5 degrees), throughout the dark hours.

Bundle-up and take a moment to enjoy this paring...as I will privately set-up a scope to enjoy this and take pics of the conjunction.

[Centaur]

I invite everyone to read my earlier thread here in which I described this conjunction and the fact that when the Full Moon rises over Chicago on 2012 NOV 28 (astronomical date style), it will be on a short straight line between Jupiter and Aldebaran: astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Conjunctions&action=display&thread=4068

At the same time Ganymede and its shadow will be transiting Jupiter as described in another thread that I initiated earlier: astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=NightSky&thread=4079&page=1

For many South Americans and Africans, the Moon will occult Jupiter tonight. For my preview graphics regarding the trio alignment, the occultation and the transits, go to: www.CurtRenz.com/moon and www.CurtRenz.com/jupiter

[patrickm]

0340 this morning.

[tomlee]

I am just looking forward to the almost full moon at daylight and hope to have a chance and time to photograph it.

[Centaur]

Nov 28, 2012 15:20:15 GMT -6 tomlee said:

I am just looking forward to the almost full moon at daylight and hope to have a chance and time to photograph it.

Actually when the Moon rises tonight it will be almost as full as it can be. It will be rising only hours after it was on the ecliptic in penumbral eclipse while near apogee and moving slowly, so it will still be very nearly in opposition to the Sun. At moonrise it will appear 99.8% illuminated, which is greater than the maximum case for a Full Moon during certain months.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I saw that early morning pairing this morning too.

And just now, as the Moon is rising...pretty far north of due east.

I have several options to observe this...with fellow Chicago Astronomers....but my motivation is not high for loading the gear and travel....

...so, I just may set-up in the backyard.

(still easing back into the mainstream of observation.)

[katdream]

I actually just registered to this site because of this wondrous site. I had to know what object was bright enough to shine within the moons aura. Finding out it was Jupiter, is so cool. I've always watched the skies, but only as a novice. So I hope to find out more wonderful sites to look for, like the upcoming lunar eclipse.

[Centaur]

Nov 28, 2012 18:33:35 GMT -6 katdream said:

I actually just registered to this site because of this wondrous site. I had to know what object was bright enough to shine within the moons aura. Finding out it was Jupiter, is so cool. I've always watched the skies, but only as a novice. So I hope to find out more wonderful sites to look for, like the upcoming lunar eclipse.

Welcome to the discussion group and the marvelous world of astronomy, katdream. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred this morning and was visible from the North American West Coast and points westward. The next lunar eclipse will be partial and happen on 2013 APR 25, but will not be visible from Chicago.

For my photo of tonight's straight line trio of Jupiter, the Full Moon and Aldebaran, please visit the thread that I earlier initiated on this website regarding the same subject: astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Conjunctions&action=display&thread=4068

[katdream]

Oh darn it I knew it was soon, but not that soon. And thank you for the welcome. I hope now that I'm here I won't miss anymore events. And I will definitely check out that thread.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Quick Solo Conjunction session

29 November 2012

I really didn't feel like loading the gear and driving someplace this evening to catch the Lunar/Jupiter Conjunction....so I just set-up outside of my garage. Using the C11 and attached 90mm finderscope, I spent about 1 1/2 hours in the fall chill enjoying this pairing.

My place has a lot of trees and most of the time, blocks a straight clear view of my targets...and the alley lights don't help matters...but I manage.

It was clear most of the evening before I headed out, but haze wafted in, softening things a bit. The above pic is a composite of two pics - capturing the Moon and Jupiter in decent exposure.

The Moon through the 90mm refractor...

...and through the C11.

We had a nice display of Jovian satellites...

...and half decent planetary views...

Haze started to thicken, halting any plans I had to target some deep space objects.

For another night.