jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Why does it seem that we always have cloudy nights when major astrological events take place?
Jupiter and Saturn
- Thread starter jim8flog
- Start date
pendodave
Tour Rookie
Haha. Agreed.
I went out and watched it last night in anticipation of this evening's weather. Slightly underwhelming, because given a reasonably bright moon not far away and it being low in the sky, it wasn't especially bright. Still interesting though.
A few years ago, I bought my daughter a telescope for Christmas. Went out on a clear Christmas night and accidentally got Saturn in the field of view. One of my more pleasant surprises. Seeing Saturn and its rings 'in the flesh' was amazing. Made me think of the first time someone managed it. Must have been extraordinary.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Annoying isnt it?
But no worries, I think we only have to wait another 60 years till next time. (And currently, covid means I'm not doing much else but wait ...)
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Up until a couple of months ago I had my daughters telescope which was good enough to see Saturn's Rings and all the clouds and markings round Jupiter.
Jupiter and Saturn have been very clear to see most of the summer.
Even last night we had a cloud bank just above the horizon.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Nearly right
Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions happen every 20 years; the last one was in the year 2000. But these conjunctions aren't all created equal. The 2020 great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be the closest since 1623 and the closest observable since 1226!
In 20 years time assuming I survive covid et al I am not sure I would want to get out of the comfy chair in the rest home.
pendodave
Tour Rookie
Ours was pretty low rent, but could also pick out a few of Jupiter's moons.
For SE England, it was pretty good yesterday. Mars also looking pretty impressive.
Every now and then, when skiing, cycling or hiking, I find myself somewhere with a good dark sky. It's amazing; you begin to see why the ancients created their stories and belief systems around it.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Thought I heard on the radio this morning, that the next one wasnt till 2080?
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
One of the big problems where I live is ambient light. Even the local town creates a big orange glow in the sky.
The neighbours trees have now grown so tall I only see a relatively small part of the night sky hence the telescope being sold (too heavy to lug around the place). I used to go to the end of the churchyard (next to my house) to view most things but they planted trees which are the same .
williamalex1
Money List Winner
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Just done a bit of reading - now realise its that it wont be as good again until 2080
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
Just had a look outside, clouds mist and street lights. Typical, 2020 is rammel
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
To Ganymede and Titan
Yes, sir, I've been around
But there ain't no place
In the whole of Space
Like that good ol' toddlin' town
Oh! Lunar City Seven
You're my idea of heaven
Out of ten, you score eleven
You good ol' Titan' town
Oh! Lunar City Seven
Lunar Cities One through Six
They always get me down
But Lunar City Seven
You're my home town
Yes, sir, I've been around
But there ain't no place
In the whole of Space
Like that good ol' toddlin' town
Oh! Lunar City Seven
You're my idea of heaven
Out of ten, you score eleven
You good ol' Titan' town
Oh! Lunar City Seven
Lunar Cities One through Six
They always get me down
But Lunar City Seven
You're my home town
Tried and had the same issues. No guarantee though 2021 is shaping up any better
Jimaroid
Journeyman Pro
I’ve been looking for a break in the weather for a week to take the daughter to our local hill top but, like every other hobby I’ve got at the moment, it’s been ruined by rain.
Tomorrow is looking clear and although we’ll have missed the moment of actual conjunction they’re still going to be very close for a few more days. Main problem from here on will be getting a line of sight as they continue to get lower on the horizon.
Tomorrow is looking clear and although we’ll have missed the moment of actual conjunction they’re still going to be very close for a few more days. Main problem from here on will be getting a line of sight as they continue to get lower on the horizon.
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
As Ave said Homer,hope we don’t get the end of 2021 and say “ actually 2020 wasn’t that bad”.
williamalex1
Money List Winner
We had a perfectly clear sky earlier tonight, but still could only see half of the moon
, did you see the crescent or " the whole of the moon "
Swinglowandslow
Well-known member
What is mind blowing when I read or hear about Saturn is the Sky at Night programme where there is an image from the Cassini probe where a photo is taken from the other side of Saturn looking back into space, and there is a little white dot in the middle of nothing.
That is us, Earth.
That is how significant we are. Not
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Do I look low towards the South-West if the skies are clear this evening? I assume that they'll still be there or thereabouts.
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
Yes. Look very low on SW horizon. But they are close to the sun so there's only a shortish opportunity to see them after sunset before they drop below horizon. If sky conditions are clear you can't mistake them for anything else.
stefanovic
Medal Winner
Days as well.
I remember the crowds going to view the total solar eclipse in Cornwall in 1999, but the only place the clouds parted in time was Goonhilly.
I stayed at home where the sun was shining and saw a partial eclipse which was still great.
