Jupiter and Venus to Converge

[IndianaGreen]

You can see the two of them every evening at sundown.

Jupiter and Venus to Converge

By Joe Rao

SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
posted: 21 November 2008
11:04 am ET

The most spectacular celestial sight during these final days of November is reserved for the early evening sky, as Jupiter and Venus, the two brightest planets, draw closer together.

The waxing crescent moon will join the planets on the first evening of December for a striking celestial trio.

One of my astronomy mentors, Dr. Kenneth L. Franklin (1923-2007), a former Chairman and Chief Astronomer at New York's Hayden Planetarium, often made reference to our "dynamic and ever-changing night sky." Such an eloquent description certainly fits our current evening sky, as we now have a celestial summit meeting in the making in the western evening twilight.

For the remainder of November, evening skywatchers can watch as each evening Jupiter and Venus slowly converge on each other in the southwestern sky, right after sunset. The two planets will appear a similar distance apart on both the evenings of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. They will be so close you'll be able to stretch your arm out and, with your thumb, blot both of them out.

After Dec. 1, like two celestial ships passing in the night, the planets will slowly separate, but there will still be one more eye-catching sight to see. For on that very same evening, those who gaze toward the south-southwest sky for up to about two hours after sunset arise will be treated to a spectacular sight as Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon cluster closely together. The trio will form a wide isosceles triangle, with Venus at the vertex.

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/081121-ns-jupiter-venus-moon.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Thanks. I will be able to see them clearly from the park near my house.

[IndianaGreen]

2. I live in the city too

Most constellations are not visible due to light pollution.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. What's the astrological significance?

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. This is my take

In astrological terms, a conjunction means that the planets come together within 1 degree of arc. While the moon, Venus and Jupiter are in close proximity, there is no conjunction. That said, there is some significance to planets being in close proximity, which astrology claims carries a similar, but weaker, influence.

The near-conjunction occurs in Sagittarius, the mutable fire sign. It represents our questing nature, the drive to find answers (Sag was, after all, a Centaur hunter.) Venus usually represents personal liasons or the pursuit of pleasure. Jupiter represents both the upper class and education. The Moon represents change or flux; it can also mean inventiveness and creativity. It is waxing, with indicates the start of a cycle; its proximity with Venus and Jupiter means that their influence is waxing as well.

In short, the astrological significance is that theater season is beginning, and we should attend charity events that both entertain and educate us. It will be expensive (Jupiter) but will help to satisfy our recently renewed (Moon) quest (Sagittarius) for pleasure with a special someone (Venus.) :hi:

[Indenturedebtor]

5. Hehehe your last sentence makes me smile

"It will be expensive (Jupiter) but will help to satisfy our recently renewed (Moon) quest (Sagittarius) for pleasure with a special someone (Venus.)"

I'm going to Paris for 3 days with my Wife :P

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. See? The stars don't lie n/t