The Great Conjunction

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Kevin Farnell
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The Great Conjunction

Post by Kevin Farnell »

The two largest planets in the Solar System (Jupiter and Saturn) are at a point in their orbits where they will be at their closest for nearly 800 years on 21 Dec 2020. They will be approximately 1/5 the diameter of the Moon apart and visible (British weather permitting) low in the sky to the S/SW just after sunset (around 5pm is a good time). Easily visible to the naked eye, but better through Binoculars or a telescope with which you may also be able to pick out the Galilean moons around Jupiter. They will still be close for several days after the 21st and will not be this close again for another 60 years. A once in a lifetime opportunity.

Sorry, I only have info as to where they are visible from the UK.

Kevin
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Airspeed
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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by Airspeed »

I've just come inside, freezing cold, having tried to photograph the pair.
I got them in the viewfinder, including the moons of Jupiter, but when I pressed the button, autofocus suddenly lost the plot and turned the planets into huge fuzzy balls. Manual focus took such tiny pictures, I could have drawn better. The one shot I did of the moon was OK, but the dark side, which was visible in the viewfinder, was black like the rest of the sky in the photo. :wall: :wall:
I obviously need a more stable tripod, as the Moon was wobbling with the wind.

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Tomliner
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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by Tomliner »

I obviously need a more stable tripod, as the Moon was wobbling with the wind.
I wobble with the wind sometimes! but I don’t think the moon is within the earth’s atmosphere Mike unless it’s different down under. ;) :hide: EricT
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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by airboatr »

Airspeed wrote:
20 Dec 2020, 11:31
I obviously need a more stable tripod, as the Moon was wobbling with the wind.
Indecent exposure is an arrestable offense

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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by Airspeed »

At home, I get told off for being too specific.
Here, I get done for being lax. :lol:

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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by Vancouver »

airboatr wrote:
20 Dec 2020, 17:29
Airspeed wrote:
20 Dec 2020, 11:31
I obviously need a more stable tripod, as the Moon was wobbling with the wind.
Indecent exposure is an arrestable offense
We had a partial mnemonic of a sort for that when I was in training as a young cop as a memory aid. "WOLO Dicky Bird".

Wilfully, openly, lewdly, and obscenely exposing his person with intent to insult any female. Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824.

I don't think in 30 years I ever used it. Perhaps the dirty Mac brigade was a thing of the past. Happy times. :thumbsup:
Alex

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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by Airspeed »

Vancouver wrote:
21 Dec 2020, 01:06
........ Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824.

.........
They thought that only vagrants would do that? *-)

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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by simondix »

Sec 3 made me a lot of overtime
Simon

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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by Airspeed »

simondix wrote:
21 Dec 2020, 07:49
Sec 3 made me a lot of overtime
Oooh, I don't seem to have my copy of the Act with me at present, would you like to remind/educate us, Simon?

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Re: The Great Conjunction

Post by simondix »

Begging
Simon

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