Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Mar 14, 2006 2:29:09 GMT -6
Fellow Chicago Astronomers and Adler crew...
This week will be the best time to catch elusive Mercury in our western skies. The planet will be reaching it's greatest Eastern elongation on Friday the 24th of February, this is when Mercury will be at it's highest in our skies. But...on February 28th and March 1st, the crescent Moon will join in and make a good pairing.
There is a thread on the Chicago Astronomer on the subject here with info: astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=NightSky&thread=1139098101&page=1
Fellow Chicago Astronomer Curt (Centaur) has created a neat little graphic demonstrating the event, and can be found here: www.curtrenz.com/astro4.jpg
And...from Universe Today: www.universetoday.com/am/publish/mercury_shrinking_planet.html?2122006
If weather conditions are favorable, (it looks good), I will set-up at my usual spot by the Adler to catch this seldom observed planet on Thursday the 23rd at dusk. And most likely during the Mercury/Lunar conjunctions during the following days as well. You are welcomed to stop by and join in, and for those who provided their cell phone numbers, I will mass text all confirming the observation sessions prior to set up.
Although not necessarily an impressive looking object in the telescope, one can discern the crescent phase of Mercury...quite cool.
And, not many people have seen Mercury, let alone observed it in the eyepiece, don't miss this opportunity!
See soon.
Joseph Guzmán
The Chicago Astronomer
Administrator & Founder
www.chicagoastronomer.com
astronomer.proboards23.com
"We are all in the Gutter, but some of us are looking at the Stars"
Oscar Wilde -1854-1900
This week will be the best time to catch elusive Mercury in our western skies. The planet will be reaching it's greatest Eastern elongation on Friday the 24th of February, this is when Mercury will be at it's highest in our skies. But...on February 28th and March 1st, the crescent Moon will join in and make a good pairing.
There is a thread on the Chicago Astronomer on the subject here with info: astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=NightSky&thread=1139098101&page=1
Fellow Chicago Astronomer Curt (Centaur) has created a neat little graphic demonstrating the event, and can be found here: www.curtrenz.com/astro4.jpg
And...from Universe Today: www.universetoday.com/am/publish/mercury_shrinking_planet.html?2122006
If weather conditions are favorable, (it looks good), I will set-up at my usual spot by the Adler to catch this seldom observed planet on Thursday the 23rd at dusk. And most likely during the Mercury/Lunar conjunctions during the following days as well. You are welcomed to stop by and join in, and for those who provided their cell phone numbers, I will mass text all confirming the observation sessions prior to set up.
Although not necessarily an impressive looking object in the telescope, one can discern the crescent phase of Mercury...quite cool.
And, not many people have seen Mercury, let alone observed it in the eyepiece, don't miss this opportunity!
See soon.
Joseph Guzmán
The Chicago Astronomer
Administrator & Founder
www.chicagoastronomer.com
astronomer.proboards23.com
"We are all in the Gutter, but some of us are looking at the Stars"
Oscar Wilde -1854-1900