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[magic612]

Mercury is visible in the early morning sky for the next few days, if you have a largely unobstructed view to the east, anyway. Mercury clears the horizon almost exactly east about 5:00 am, but doesn't reach 10 degrees (about one fist width, held at arm's length) above it until about 5:40 am, and Mercury's proximity to the Sun means the planet gets washed out in glare by 6:00.

Try looking early, starting around 5:20 or 5:30. Tomorrow morning it is near the bright star Regulus, and by Friday morning it will be less than one degree from Regulus (the distance across your pinky held at arm's length).

Give it a shot if you're up early - a LOT of amateur astronomers have never seen Mercury, because it is close to the Sun and is only seen in small windows of opportunity around dawn or sunset. Fast forward to about minute 2:20 in the video below for more information on how to spot our solar system's innermost planet over the next few days. You'll be among the elite few who have spotted this planet - really!

[Centaur]

Take a look at my earlier post titled "Mercury as Late Summer Morning Star" in the forum here for "Chicago's Night Sky": astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=NightSky&action=display&thread=3373 . It includes my description of Mercury's current morning apparition and links to related graphics that I have created with my self-made software. Other members have already responded to my invitation to enter into the discussion within that thread. You are welcome to join us, magic612. If you produced that video, I commend you. I too have been occasionally providing astronomical commentary for viewers of my YouTube channel.

[magic612]

My apologies Curt - there are a lot of sub-forum options, and being quite new around here I missed your thread that you started. Didn't mean to step on toes - just trying to add to the discussion.

Yes, I did produce the video myself - see the credits at the end for full detail. What is your YouTube channel's name?

[Centaur]

Sept 7, 2011 7:45:18 GMT -6 magic612 said:

My apologies Curt - there are a lot of sub-forum options, and being quite new around here I missed your thread that you started. Didn't mean to step on toes - just trying to add to the discussion.

Yes, I did produce the video myself - see the credits at the end for full detail. What is your YouTube channel's name?

I completely understand, Dave. Welcome to Joe’s fine group here. I tried to hint to Joe a few years ago that the number of forums could be reduced. Indeed, your video is quite well done. That from a retiree whose career was in television.

I don’t advertise my YouTube channel, which is CurtRenz, since I direct people to my website which displays the videos: www.CurtRenz.com . I don’t currently make available an astronomical video, since I delete them when past the date of the predicted events. The last one was a description of the three eclipses that were expected for June and July.

For most upcoming astronomical events, my website format of still graphics and a few animations that I’ve created with my homemade software seems to work best: www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical . Videos may get too cluttered. What works better for me in a video format are my interviews with financial experts: www.CurtRenz.com/interviews

Too bad you came along so recently, Dave, or Joe and I may have gotten you involved in the feature-length film in which we will be appearing. My scene in which I play a lawyer was shot on Saturday. Joe has assembled three more of his Chicago Astronomers to pretend to be observing a fireball passing over Chicago. The scheduling for that scene has been disrupted by the realization that Sunday’s Bears’ game will make access to the planetarium difficult. If the yet to be determined new date presents a conflict for somebody, perhaps you would like to become a star rather than just observe stars!

[magic612]

Sept 7, 2011 13:28:09 GMT -6 Centaur said:

Indeed, your video is quite well done. That from a retiree whose career was in television.

Thank you for the incredibly gracious compliment.

Sept 7, 2011 13:28:09 GMT -6 Centaur said:

For most upcoming astronomical events, my website format of still graphics and a few animations that I’ve created with my homemade software seems to work best: www.CurtRenz.com/astronomical .

Nicely done - very detailed information!

Sept 7, 2011 13:28:09 GMT -6 Centaur said:

Too bad you came along so recently, Dave, or Joe and I may have gotten you involved in the feature-length film in which we will be appearing. ...perhaps you would like to become a star rather than just observe stars!

I appreciate the thought. Having majored in Communications / Theater and also playing the lead / major roles in a fair amount of community theater, the movie project sounds like it would be fun. But if it doesn't work out for me, that's okay: I've had my share of roles that have provided me with sufficient applause.

[Centaur]

Sept 7, 2011 13:55:24 GMT -6 magic612 said:

I appreciate the thought. Having majored in Communications / Theater and also playing the lead / major roles in a fair amount of community theater, the movie project sounds like it would be fun. But if it doesn't work out for me, that's okay: I've had my share of roles that have provided me with sufficient applause.

Since my retirement, Dave, I’ve had fun with community theatre too. Last year I portrayed the Henry Fonda character in Twelve Angry Jurors (Men). Chicago Astronomers Paulie and Hillary saw me play a general in Bury the Dead. Paulie will be in our movie. Here’s a link to our Chicago Astronomer discussion and updates regarding the film project: astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Annoucements&action=display&thread=3366 .

Other needs for extras may arise. If they do, would you like me to put you in contact with the producer/director?

[magic612]

Sept 7, 2011 14:38:04 GMT -6 Centaur said:

Since my retirement, Dave, I’ve had fun with community theatre too. Last year I portrayed the Henry Fonda character in Twelve Angry Jurors (Men).

Excellent! I'll be assistant-directing that very show this coming winter.

Sept 7, 2011 14:38:04 GMT -6 Centaur said:

If they do, would you like me to put you in contact with the producer/director?

I appreciate the thought, but with all I have going on right now, I'm not sure if I'd be able to squeeze it into my schedule, and I'd hate to have to say "no" to that kind of opportunity. Probably better for me to pass on it this time. Thanks for asking though - again, much appreciated.

[Centaur]

Sept 7, 2011 19:41:21 GMT -6 magic612 said:

Sept 7, 2011 14:38:04 GMT -6 Centaur said:

Since my retirement, Dave, I’ve had fun with community theatre too. Last year I portrayed the Henry Fonda character in Twelve Angry Jurors (Men).

Excellent! I'll be assistant-directing that very show this coming winter.

Sept 7, 2011 14:38:04 GMT -6 Centaur said:

If they do, would you like me to put you in contact with the producer/director?

I appreciate the thought, but with all I have going on right now, I'm not sure if I'd be able to squeeze it into my schedule, and I'd hate to have to say "no" to that kind of opportunity. Probably better for me to pass on it this time. Thanks for asking though - again, much appreciated.

You may prefer to act as Juror #8 or #3. You seem more like me, Dave, so I’d cast you as the rational #8. Tell the director if he wants a secretary, you demand to be paid.

I understand about your time, especially in a movie production in which the actors are unpaid. I wanted a first time movie experience, and was already friends with the producer/director of his first feature length film. The roles for extras to which I was referring are non-speaking, and participation would likely be required for only about a half hour. For an actor in a movie the time involved is miniscule compared to that in a stage play. For my speaking role as the principle character in one scene, I had one short rehearsal and performed in a brief shoot a week later. I doubt that extras will be asked to attend a rehearsal.