Venus, Jupiter, Moon Offer Dazzling Night Show

**nivek** · 02-25-2012, 11:09 AM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Stargazers of the world are getting a treat this weekend.

On Saturday and again Sunday, Venus, Jupiter and Earth's moon converge for a brilliant night show.

Venus and Jupiter already are lining up in the western sky. In mid-February, the two planets were 20 degrees apart from a viewing perspective. The gap narrows to 10 degrees by month's end.

A crescent moon joins the show this weekend for a triple combination. The celestial encounter will be visible from around the world at twilight. The moon will appear closer to Venus on Saturday and closer to Jupiter on Sunday.

The moon then retreats from view, but Venus and Jupiter keep drawing closer. The two planets will be just 3 degrees apart by mid-March.

Venus, Jupiter, Moon Offer Dazzling Night Show - weather.com

**Joe the Waiter** · 02-25-2012, 02:28 PM

Thanks Niv

. I saw those when I got off the Bus tonight - pretty bright and they'll generate a fair few UFO reports I'll bet.

**nivek** · 02-25-2012, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Joe the Waiter

Thanks Niv

. I saw those when I got off the Bus tonight - pretty bright and they'll generate a fair few UFO reports I'll bet.

Indeed, the sky should be clear tonight for me to go out and star gaze a bit and have a look at these planets and moon together...

I still haven't purchased a telescope yet but I do have good binoculars, this area at my home has little man-made light pollution too...:-)

**SactoLady** · 02-25-2012, 03:39 PM

Thank you for the post. I'll have to go out tonight and take a look.

**Lender** · 02-25-2012, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by SactoLady

Thank you for the post. I'll have to go out tonight and take a look.

Thanks to Nivek242, I can take my wife outside tonight and dazzle her with my astronomical knowledge.

**JAY9000** · 02-25-2012, 04:03 PM

was checking this out whilst driving the mrs to work...pretty cool twas too

**nivek** · 02-25-2012, 06:07 PM

The time here is 7 pm just about an hour after sunset and all three are in the western sky, Jupiter being the highest one thus far with the Moon just above and to the right of Venus...Also I see Mars to the east just above the tree line...

**Lender** · 02-25-2012, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by nivek242

The time here is 7 pm just about an hour after sunset and all three are in the western sky, Jupiter being the highest one thus far with the Moon just above and to the right of Venus...Also I see Mars to the east just above the tree line...

I just went out and all three were bright as beacons. Thanks for the heads up!

**nivek** · 02-25-2012, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Lender

I just went out and all three were bright as beacons. Thanks for the heads up!

I was just outside walking my dog, seems they are just below the horizon now, Mars is high up in the sky and Saturn is coming up over the eastern horizon now...

The skies should be clear tomorrow night to get another good look, I think I'll see if I can get some good pictures tomorrow night...