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elleng

(136,055 posts)
Tue Apr 26, 2022, 04:22 PM Apr 2022

Two planets will appear to 'nearly collide' in the night sky this week.

Venus and Jupiter will rendezvous in the morning sky early Saturday.

'Early risers on Saturday will be treated to a planetary “conjunction” in the morning skies. NASA says the intermingling of Jupiter and Venus, which will last only two days, will make the planets appear to “almost collide.” The two celestial bodies are among the brightest objects currently present in the night sky.

While those with telescopes should easily be able to distinguish the two planets, there’s a chance that some naked-eye observers may witness a combined radiant overlap between the two.

The conjunction will be ongoing early on the morning of May 1, but, as the planets head their separate directions in the night sky, the duo will have swapped positions.

In addition to Venus and Jupiter, a trio of other planets will grace the skies, although they’ll probably only be visible for city skywatchers and stargazers with a telescope. In more rural areas, two of the other planets — Mars and Saturn — have already traced a perfect line as the solar system remains splayed out in a glorious splendor. They’ll continue to do so in the days ahead.'>>>

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2022/04/26/planetary-conjunction-venus-jupiter/?

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Two planets will appear to 'nearly collide' in the night sky this week. (Original Post) elleng Apr 2022 OP
This is on my calendar to watch. MontanaMama Apr 2022 #1
It's finally warm enough to sit outside at night PJMcK Apr 2022 #2
Sadly our 'warm' has fled, for while, elleng Apr 2022 #3
Yeah, it's not really warm PJMcK Apr 2022 #4

MontanaMama

(24,021 posts)
1. This is on my calendar to watch.
Tue Apr 26, 2022, 04:25 PM
Apr 2022

I hope we have a chance to see it...lots of mountains out my way. Fingers crossed.

PJMcK

(22,886 posts)
2. It's finally warm enough to sit outside at night
Tue Apr 26, 2022, 04:29 PM
Apr 2022

I'm in the Catskills in NE Pennsylvania and it's been a really cold, wet Spring.

This conjunction is the perfect encouragement to haul out the telescope to see!

As always, elleng, thanks for the heads-up!

elleng

(136,055 posts)
3. Sadly our 'warm' has fled, for while,
Tue Apr 26, 2022, 04:33 PM
Apr 2022

so hoping others can view this; I'm not likely one of them.

PJMcK

(22,886 posts)
4. Yeah, it's not really warm
Tue Apr 26, 2022, 04:47 PM
Apr 2022

It's forecast to be in the high 30s to low 40s this weekend at night. I'll still have to bundle up.

Still, I'd like to use my 'scope. I got it a few years ago and it's a reflector type with a 76 mm aperture. I've had some spectacular observations with it. The first time I used it, I saw Jupiter and the Galilean moons! It was awesome.

I'm not sure if I'll brave the cold but thanks again for the info.

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