William Atkins
Friday, 27 February 2009 20:17
Science -
Space
Page 1 of 3
On February 27, 2009, the Moon and the planet Venus will be up close and personal for the last time until spring 2010. Don’t miss your chance to see these two heavenly bodies!
After sunset on the evening of Friday, February 27, 2009, skygazers will be able to see the planet Venus and Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon, together for the last time—at least until early in 2010. You'll also get a chance to see them on a few more following nights, but not quite as spectacular as Friday's event.
From North America, look into the western sky after sunset to see the pair about halfway up the sky.
Venus, nearly at its brightest magnitude (-4.6) in the night sky, will be only one or two degrees above and to the right of Moon at their closest approaches to each other.
Interestingly, Venus will be about twenty times brighter than the brightest star Sirius (that is, other than our homestar, the Sun).
The Moon will be in a waxing crescent shape, with about ten percent of its surface being illuminated by setting rays of the Sun.
In fact, Venus will also have a crescent shape, when seen through strong binoculars or a backyard telescope.
Viewed in such a way, Venus will appear with about 20% of its cloudy surface illuminated.
Page two continues with information on the positions of the Moon and Venus relative to each other in the western night sky.
