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This evening I observed a beautiful conjunction of Crescent Moon with
Venus and Saturn. They were particularly striking from about 9:45
until about 10:30 p.m. , especially pleasing view when positioned
with silhouetted skyline trees. Venus was extremely bright about 4
degrees on the west side of the Moon's crescent, with Saturn
positioned about the same separation on the east side of the Moon.
What a pleasant lineup they made!
Extending the line a little further east (about 8 degrees) was the
star Regulus (the brightest star in Leo). The four objects made a
wonderful line in the west. There is a photo at http://
www.spaceweather.com/swpod2007/18jun07/Wooten_blink.gif showing
the arrangement Sunday evening. So you can use it to mentally place
the Moon between Venus and Saturn to visualize Monday evening's
arrangement. I'm sure someone will have a photo to share of Monday
night's arrangement at http://www.spaceweather.com/ (Spaceweather)
To add to the picture, the Space Station and Atlantis (about 11:15
p.m.) passed right under this arrangement, passing less than a half
degree below Regulus, disappearing a minute later above the south
when they entered Earth's shadow. ISS also made a bright pass earlier
in the evening, about 9:40 p.m., except more to the north.
A HEADS UP ON Tomorrow evening within the same period (especially
from 10:00 to 10:30 p.m.(ADT)) The crescent Moon can be seen
positioned less than half its diameter, below Regulus. That will be
especially neat to see in a pair of binoculars. At some locations
Regulus will just skim the top of the the crescent point. At other
locations the Moon will eclipse Regulus (an occultation).
ALSO: at 10:00 p.m. to 10:04 p.m. Tuesday evening, the Space Station
can be seen passing very close to overhead, coming out of the SW.
Atlantis undocks from ISS just before noon Tuesday and by evening,
should pass, on nearly the same track, perhaps 10 to 15 minutes
BEFORE the ISS. They could even be closer together in time than that!
I'll be watching.
Sherman
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