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[Centaur]

Have you ever seen the Lunar Boat? That’s how astronomical author Jean Meeus has described a crescent Moon appearing to hang downward in a U-shape. It’s not seen often by those of us well removed from the tropics. But observers at the latitude of Chicago or Boston lucky enough to catch sight of the less than one-day-old Moon on February 14th will have an opportunity.

Who will be the first to spot the February New Moon with naked eyes after sunset that evening? The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2010 FEB 14 at 02:51 UT (13 at 20:51 CST). On the 14th many North Americans will set personal records. Jupiter and Venus will serve as guides. Jupiter will appear about 4.5° to the left of the Moon, while Venus will be 2° below Jupiter.

I’ve created a graphic previewing the western sky from Chicagoland 25 minutes after sunset on February 14th. It should well serve most North American observers. It can be seen by clicking: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical then going to the Moon page.

Photos and descriptions of the February New Moon would be welcome additions to this thread. Please include the date, time, time zone and location. Good Luck!

Below is a Lunar Boat photo I took last spring from Arlington Heights, Illinois of the Moon aged 31:46 hours on 2009 MAR 27.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I hope it's clear tomorrow evening!

[Centaur]

Feb 12, 2010 18:06:00 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I hope it's clear tomorrow evening!

That would be nice, Joe, but it may be more important for Sunday when the New Moon Lunar Boat will appear.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt,

It does look like it will be clear this evening, (14th), and I will trek up to the Adler grounds and observe/image this.

I will set up at about 5:00 p.m....probably along the drive leading up to the Adler for ease and close unloading of equipment.

More soon.

[Paulie pchris00]

I'm gonna give it a shot. Nver seen a Moon less than 2 days old.

[Centaur]

Feb 14, 2010 14:27:44 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

It does look like it will be clear this evening, (14th), and I will trek up to the Adler grounds and observe/image this.

Feb 14, 2010 16:44:09 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I'm gonna give it a shot. Nver seen a Moon less than 2 days old.

Despite forecasts for snow, the sky was generally clear during the day and after sunset from Arlington Heights. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see through the horizon haze as you can see from my picture below taken in what should have been the right direction at 17:52 CST (32 minutes after sunset.) I did get a report from Mike Welsh in neighboring Palatine who spotted the young Lunar Boat. Joe & Paulie, I hope your luck was as good as his.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt,

Nope.

I saw nothin'.

Absolutely nothing.

Used the 15x70 Binos, yet nothing from my area outside of the garage. Nothin'.

Hrrmph.

[Centaur]

Feb 14, 2010 22:24:09 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I saw nothin'.

Absolutely nothing.

Hrrmph.

Calm down Joe! For those of us who were shut out tonight, there is still a chance to catch the Moon less than 2-days-old after sunset tomorrow evening. And don’t forget Venus meeting Jupiter while Diana’s Bow smiles down on them on Tuesday, as previewed in my thread in the Chicago's Night Sky forum.

[Paulie pchris00]

Over ninety percent of the sky was clear at sunset last night. Unfortunately, the only clouds to be seen were to the southwest. No Moon. No Venus. No Jupiter.

Even without the clouds, the trio would have been difficult to find, since my only line of sight to them was behind a spate of trees in a neighbor's yard, about 200 feet away.

Better luck next month everyone.

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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

"a spate of trees"

I like that.

You got a clearer western horizon than I do, Paulie.

Nice.

[Paulie pchris00]

I was thinking that while I was out Sunday night. Along the lake front is a great spot for anything rising, but I doubt there are many places in the city to witness any settings.