Gobble down the turkey, Jupiter, Venus, Moon are together in night sky

William Atkins
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 19:37

Science - Space

You won’t need binoculars or a telescope, just your eye balls, to see the dazzling display by the three celestial objects.

Beginning on Thursday night, Jupiter and Venus will be moving closer together to each other.

By a few days later, on Sunday and Monday nights (November 30 and December 1), they will be about two degrees apart (about a finger width when held out about an average arm’s length).

On Monday night, the Moon, shaped like a crescent (yes, kinda like a crescent roll for those of you just finishing your cranberry sauce and turkey stuffing), will join the group in a celestial threesome, or more traditionally called a triple conjunction.

Jupiter is the fourth brightest object in the sky, while Venus is the third and the Moon is the second. Of course, the Sun is the brightest object in the sky—but not at night when it is hidden by the Earth.

Sky and Telescope magazine’s senior editor Alan MacRobert states, "It'll be a head-turner. This certainly is an unusual coincidence for the crescent moon to be right there in the days when they are going to be closest together." [Associated Press: “Thanksgiving sky: Jupiter, Venus, moon together”]

And, MarylandWeather.com states, “If skies are clear, the spectacle is sure to grab the attention of anyone who happens to glance that way - evening commuters, dog walkers and folks out for an after-dinner stroll."

It adds, "You won't need to find dark skies. This celestial event will be visible everyplace that isn't clouded in.” [MarylandWeather.com: “Triple conjunction will dazzle stargazers”]

So head out into the night-time with your drumstick and piece of pecan pie, and watch what Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon have in store for you. It should be a real Thanksgiving extravaganza!