Venus, Jupiter, moon offer dazzling night show (Sat/Sun)

[pinto]

Venus, Jupiter, moon offer dazzling night show

By Marcia Dunn | Associated Press – Thu, Feb 23, 2012.

Cape Canaveral, Florida (AP) — Stargazers of the world are getting a treat this weekend.

On Saturday and again Sunday, Venus, Jupiter and Earth's moon converge for a brilliant night show.

Venus and Jupiter already are lining up in the western sky. In mid-February, the two planets were 20 degrees apart from a viewing perspective. The gap narrows to 10 degrees by month's end.

A crescent moon joins the show this weekend for a triple combination. The celestial encounter will be visible from around the world at twilight. The moon will appear closer to Venus on Saturday and closer to Jupiter on Sunday.

The moon then retreats from view, but Venus and Jupiter keep drawing closer. The two planets will be just 3 degrees apart by mid-March.

http://news.yahoo.com/venus-jupiter-moon-offer-dazzling-night-show-162507237.html

[Kookaburra]

1. I saw that tonight

It was quite beautiful. Going to try to get a picture tomorrow night.

[geckosfeet]

2. Yes - the past couple of nights the crescent moon has been stunning.

The planets hovering nearby are clearly visible.

I always amazed to see the celestial bodies being illuminated by the sun at night.

[pinto]

7. It's always neat when the moon wanes and doesn't "outshine" the rest of the sky. Yet is a part of it

[pinto]

4. The marine layer is holding off-shore here (CA coast) tonight. Got a good, clear view.

Really kind of neat to just sit outside and have a look.

[HopeHoops]

3. I only saw Jupiter. We had some cloud cover, but I always know the big guy.

[pinto]

5. Yeah, Jupiter's hard to miss. The dance continues through tomorrow, maybe you'll have clearer skies.

If I could, I'd lay out / sleep under the stars every night. I love the expanse.

[HopeHoops]

6. A WEEEEEE bit cold. Besides, my wife is already crashed out in bed.

If I'm going to sleep under the stars, I'm gonna do it nekkid with a hot chick. She's out for the night and, as I said, it's just too damn cold right now. And windy! The cold isn't so much of a problem. The wind makes it seem colder. And it's fucking 55 degrees out! That's not supposed to be cold.