This week, there is going to be quite the cosmic show in the Western sky just after sunset as the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter all get together to pay each other close (at least apparently) visits. Needless to say, the evening celestial bodies will make quite the sight to see and photograph.
Tonight, one will be treated to a spectacular sight: a true Young Moon, which is a Moon a day or less past new (see photos here) extremely low on the western horizon with the planet Mercury less than 5 degrees to the right. Since the Moon will only be about 1% lit, look for Mercury and let it guide you to the Moon. Oh, yes, unless you have eagle eyes, it's highly advisable to reach for a pair of binoculars or even a telescope to be used at low power. If you succeed in seeing the Moon tonight, you will join a rather exclusive club of people who have seen the thinnest of Moons (see my Young (and thin) Moon gallery here!). Hint: if you live East of Cleveland, you're in luck as Lake Erie will provide a good Western horizon.
Tomorrow, the Moon is still thin but no longer a true challenge to spot. At 2 days old, the Moon is now about 4% lit and it sits about 10 degrees straight above Mercury. This time, let Luna guide you to the planet. While optical aid will no longer be needed for the Moon, it's still recommended for Mercury.
By Friday, the Moon is leaving Mercury behind for a meeting with a planet so bright that only someone who is blind could miss it: dazzling Venus, third brightest object in the sky after only the Sun and Moon. This night, the Moon will be between Mercury and Venus, about two thirds of the way towards the latter.
Wrapping up the week, on Saturday, the even fatter Moon will be parked right next to Venus, making for quite an end of the week sight.
Oh, yes, even though it's technically next week, the Moon will be right next to Jupiter next Sunday, too.
Now, as a preview, Spaceweather already has up several images taken yesterday, the perfect thing to whet one's appetite for the even more spectacular sights to come in the next few evenings. Just look under the red heading “sunset planets.”
Lastly, the weather is something to be considered. Astronomy always a weather-allowing pursuit, be sure to keep an eye on the Cleveland weather forecast and, for hour-by-hour cloud predictions, the Cleveland Clear Sky Clock. The good news: this is a multi-day show, which increases the odds of catching a good view at least one of the nights. The bad news: tonight, the headliner wit hthe Young Moon, is looking rather lousy in the Cleveland area. Live somewhere else? Find a clock and see if it will be clear near you.
For more info:
High-res simulations
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