Moon & Venus close together Saturday, Dec 28

[Yoder]

Hi Guys,

This Saturday, December 28th, the moon and Venus will be quite close to each other. Most people don’t know this, but you can actually see Venus during the day. The problem is, that it’s not overly bright, and that the sky is so large most people don’t know where to look for it when it is up. This Saturday it will be quite close to the moon, so it should be easier to spot. At 1pm, It looks like it is about 6 moon diameters east of the moon. Since the moon is 0.5degrees, that would put it at about 3 degrees from the moon. If you make a fist and extend your arm out it covers about 5degrees, so it should be just within a fist distance to the east of the moon. This distance will decrease as the day turns into evening until just at moonset the separation should be about 2 degrees.

No special equipment is required to see this. You can probably even use your cell phone to take a picture. If you have a good pair of binoculars, you can look at Venus, and may even be able to see the Phase of Venus, yes Venus has phases just like the moon. Here is a picture I took in 2015 back when venus actually went behind the moon during the day (Occultation). https://www.artcentrics.com/Best_PhotoG ... eenRes.jpg.

I know this may not sound like a particular exciting event, but last time it happened when I saw it, It seemed almost other-worldly, it just is amazing that you can see Venus in the middle of the day.

I posted a photo taken about 2pm. It was almost impossible to see, then there were clouds, but when they moved out by about 5:30pm it was clearly visible. I took this one at 5:41pm

[Yoder]

Well, I did find the moon, but I got to tell you it is REALLY hard to see this time round. Even knowing where to look I was not able spot it with without any aid. I had to get the binoculars out, knowing exactly where it should be in the sky and scan for it. I did finally spot it, but missed Venus. I did get a picture, but you can barely see either object. I will see if I can post the image. I may get easier to spot these as the day progresses, but not nearly as easy as last time. It's because the moon is almost new, so just a slither....

Sorry if I was working anyone up for this. Last time it was much better. Of course you should be able to see this easily just before sunset.

Picture I took today is attached to the post.

[Yoder]

You can see it clearly now. Going to take photos. Post them tomorrow

[chumley]

I see it! I see it!!!

It’s almost the Turkish flag!

[LosDosSloFolks]

@chumley
I was thinking the same thing. Too many viewings of Midnight Express I suppose.

[big_load]

I'm still adjusting to there being another J. Yoder. Of course where the first one came from, there are more J. Yoders than I can count.

[Yoder]

Glad a few of you were able to see it. I was hoping on being able to see it as early as 1pm, but nearly impossible to see at that time, then the clouds rolled in, but when they did move out about 5:30, it was easy to see. Quite nice looking, but more impressive when you can see it in the middle of the day. Didn't realize that the phase of the moon made such a big difference. Last time it was almost a full moon, this time it was just a slither.

I have updated the attached file in the original post with the photo I took at 5:41 for anyone who missed it.

[big_load]

Good shot!