I got a photo of Jupiter & 3 moons, & Saturn (not on this cropped photo). On 22 December they will be at their closest point, in western sky as it gets dark look up a bit. I also have 18 x 50 binoculars & can see the moons. With my 7 x 50 binoculars I can't see the moons.
Thanks whenarewethere,
I'll have to unpack my telescope & have a look. The planets put on a good show with Jupiter often being the star of the show, along with Orion.
The balmy nights here in the tropics make astronomy an interesting hobby (better than freezing in the cooler months).
Forrest White said
12:50 AM Dec 16, 2020
On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will be so close to each other that they will look like a double planet. The convergence of the planets occurs approximately every 20 years. However, this time the phenomenon can be considered exceptional: the planets will be so close to each other, as it has not happened since the Middle Ages - namely, from March 4, 1226. The phenomenon can be observed anywhere on the planet, although the best conditions will be at the equator. The next time a similar convergence of Jupiter and Saturn will occur on March 15, 2080, and then after 2400.
Warren-Pat_01 said
07:04 PM Dec 20, 2020
Saw Jupiter & Saturn very close last night with four of J's moons in a vertical line, the 5th was out to the left.
Having another look on Monday night.
You can see the planets with binoculars & bird-watching telescopes.
Whenarewethere said
05:46 PM Dec 21, 2020
We will not have a clear sky, but if you do look up a bit this evening as it is getting dark.
I got a photo of Jupiter & 3 moons, & Saturn (not on this cropped photo). On 22 December they will be at their closest point, in western sky as it gets dark look up a bit. I also have 18 x 50 binoculars & can see the moons. With my 7 x 50 binoculars I can't see the moons.
I'll have to unpack my telescope & have a look. The planets put on a good show with Jupiter often being the star of the show, along with Orion.
The balmy nights here in the tropics make astronomy an interesting hobby (better than freezing in the cooler months).
Having another look on Monday night.
You can see the planets with binoculars & bird-watching telescopes.
We will not have a clear sky, but if you do look up a bit this evening as it is getting dark.
Photo from a few nights ago:
I missed the convergence due to cloud every night but finally got a break in the clouds last night. Not quite sure what flew past the camera!