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Observing and Imaging Group
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Topic starter
A special close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will occur on Saturday, so close that both planets will appear together in an eyepiece, high enough magnification to see Jupiter moons too.
But there is a caveat, its close to the sunset. But we may have at least a half hour window of viewing it before and after sunset. This seems like a challenge and I am not sure Blackheath is ideal for attempting to see this. I'm inclined to search for a hilly location with a clear view to the west. I do want to try witness this and will be nice to do so with company of Flamsteed members.
I attach a stellarium screenshot of how the conjunction will appear.
Posted : 24/08/2016 11:57 am
Interesting one, Tej. I'm not around on Saturday evening, so won't be able to participate.
It would be possible to view from Blackheath... we can generally see stuff in the west down to about 5 degrees altitude... but the view is going to be very wobbly. That said, I think it'll be wobbly wherever you view it!
Shooter's Hill is not much good, as the views to the west are poor with the tree line.
One possibility is The Point, which has good views to the west if memory serves. It's not very well known. In fact, I don't even know why I'm putting this on a public forum... everyone will go 😉
Do you know where this is? See here for a map: @51.4735661,-0.0121924,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x487602878d9137d5:0x4416dc6b2f2ad3ec!8m2!3d51.4734616!4d-0.0100666" target="_blank"> https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/The+Point,+Point+Hill,+London/ @51.4735661,-0.0121924,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x487602878d9137d5:0x4416dc6b2f2ad3ec!8m2!3d51.4734616!4d-0.0100666
Posted : 24/08/2016 5:14 pm
Topic starter
Ha, just looking the 360deg photo, I like how The Point has a clear horizon window to the West and trees in every other direction! What a spot (and nicely positioned bench) to watch a London sunset. I must go sit on that bench regardless of the conjunction and just enjoy a sun setting. But thanks for that, seems like a good spot to at least make an attempt at this conjunction.
Posted : 24/08/2016 7:04 pm
Topic starter
Cloud cover is looking pretty bad for tomorrow but forecasts change by the day so will make a call on my going (to The Point) tomorrow noon-ish (in case anyone was going to join me). Pity its not occurring tonight as the skies are beautifully clear right now!
Posted : 26/08/2016 10:21 pm
Topic starter
Cloud Forecast remains poor so I will abandon the challenge. Pity.
Posted : 27/08/2016 1:14 pm
Too cloudy in Whitstable to view Jupiter and Venus, but just managed to see Mars and Saturn close together just now, through the light cloud.
Posted : 27/08/2016 10:56 pm
