Look west after sunset for moon, planets
This image is a previous conjunction of a crescent moon near the Planet Venus. Credit: Sharto
Monday, December 29, 2008.
The first “star” to pop into view tonight is no star at all but the blazing planet Venus.
And there are also two other planets up after sunset. At dusk and early evening, look for Venus first. Its the brightest point of light in all the heavens – in the general direction of sunset.
No matter where you live worldwide, you should have little trouble spotting Venus at dusk and early evening. The trick is to catch Venus early. This world sets about 3.5 hours after the sun at mid-northern latitudes, and 2.5 hours after the sun at mid-southern latitudes. If you catch Venus early enough – say 20 to 40 minutes after sunset – you have a good chance of spotting the gorgeous pairing of the thin waxing crescent moon and another brilliant planet – Jupiter – near the horizon.
The moon and Jupiter are up barely an hour after sunset, but the beauty of the scene will be worth the effort to locate them. If your sky is clear, you’ll also see a third planet – Mercury – nearby.
Better yet, zoom in on the elusive evening trio – the moon, Jupiter and Mercury – with binoculars. They’ll be far below brilliant Venus – right next to the horizon – at dusk and early evening, waiting for you to spot them.
As seen from most of the world’s eastern hemisphere – Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand – the moon, Jupiter and Mercury will fit within a single binocular field of view this evening. As seen from the Americas this evening, Jupiter and Mercury will reside a little too far below the moon for all three to fit inside the same binocular field. However, everyone worldwide will see Jupiter and Mercury in one binocular field for the next week or so.
If you live at temperate and far northern latitudes – such as in North America and Europe – the moon, Jupiter and Mercury will appear to the lower right of Venus this evening. At middle latitudes south of the equator – like at Australia and New Zealand – this trio of lights will shine to Venus’ lower left.
As seen from around the world, the moon will shine between Venus and Jupiter on Tuesday evening, and will pair up with Venus on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve. For the setting times of the sun, moon and planets in your sky, check the links on our almanac page.
You often mention viewing planets and starts through binoculars, not a telescope. What kind of magnification is needed in a good pair of binoculars, and what could you expect to see (rings around Saturn? Red spot on Jupiter?)? What kind of telescope would match this performance? I’m not sure which would be the better purchase. Thanks!
You often mention viewing planets and starts through binoculars, not a telescope. What kind of magnification is needed in a good pair of binoculars, and what could you expect to see (rings around Saturn? Red spot on Jupiter?)? What kind of telescope would match this performance? I’m not sure which would be the better purchase. Thanks!
According to USBorne Spotter’s Guides “The Night Sky” 7×50 binoculars will reveals craters on the moon.
Where can I get a photo of this moon, Venus, Jupiter conjunction? I live in the eastern US so I’m looking for an image like what I saw that night. I can only find pictures from other parts of the world..it looks different.
My son was born that evening and it made it all the more special to me.
John, I have a photo I took from Arizona if you would like a copy of it. I live outside the Phoenix area and this was taken about the 3rd of Dec.
Cindy
John, I have a photo I took from Arizona if you would like a copy of it. I live outside the Phoenix area and this was taken about the 3rd of Dec.
Cindy
What planets in our solar system can be seen only with a telescope?
RAJ,
Since Pluto has been demoted to “dwarf planet” status, that makes Neptune, the 8th planet outward from the sun, the only planet that can seen with only a telescope. People with good eyesight can see Uranus, the 7th planet outward, on a dark, clear night, though this distant world only looks like a very faint star. Presently, Neptune is nearby the sky’s most brilliant planet, Venus. For more on Neptune and Venus, read the December 31 EarthSky Tonight Moon and Venus couple up on New Year’s Eve.
Bruce