A rare planetary conjunction

[Andy]

If you watch the skies you may have noticed Venus and Jupiter getting closer together in the SW at dusk - I think it's pretty spectacular  . They will be visible this evening until about 18.30 if the mist/cloud stays away.

Into next week the crescent moon will join the two planets. The closest for the planets will be on Sunday evening and the new crescent moon will be there on Monday evening. In fact, Venus will be behind the Moon around 4pm at about the sunset time in most places, and will pop out from behind the Moon some time after 4.30pm (Monday).

Here's to a clear sky  . 

[Bazza]

I was looking at them the other evening.. They're so bright, you can't miss them!

[Andy]

Just found out from another forum that the International Space Station (aka the ISS) will be passing very close to this conjunction too on Monday evening !! How cool  !

It so better not be cloudy.

[Andy]

It looks like being clear tomorrow evening  .

[Alg]

As I'm pants at distinguishing anything other than a moon from a star in the night sky Andy.
Where/when should I be looking? What should I expect to see and how will I know it's what I hope it is and not just another bloomin' star? Will the ISS be moving? Slowly? Zooming along?
I've looked for stuff in the sky before and haven't been 100% certain I'm looking at the right thing.lol
Any pointers?

[Andy]

Alg* I apologise for the late reply, especially seeing as 1. the event in question is just about to start and 2. that there's now cloud here when all day has been clear  !

(* I saw your message yesterday but didn't have time to reply before going out at midday and then was too tired to do anything but hit head to pillow when getting home late evening.)

I've found out something extra today about what's going to happen. Venus will be hidden behind the crescent moon for a period of time starting around 16.00 and will reappear around 17.30 - this process is called an 'occultation', a word I'd never heard of until today.

Where to look? In the direction that the sun has set - roughly West SouthWest  .

If the sky is clear then the crescent moon will be obvious and the 2 brightest objects besides will be Venis and Jupiter, except when Venus is 'occulted' then the only other bright object will be Jupiter.

The Space Station pass is at about 17.15 and it'll be moving West-East as a slow moving light which at a glance will be just like a star until you realise it's moving.

Please can this cloud clear  !

[Andy]

Well we may have been denied viewing the main event, but check out Venus and Jupiter in the West South West sky on this crystal clear evening. They are very close together with Venus the brightest of the two and Jupiter close by on the right hand side. The quarter moon looks cool too  .

[Monica Reyes]

I see them ! what a beautiful sight.

[daisy]

Are they still visible as when I came home from work lastnite I saw two VERY bright "stars" not too far from eachother?

[Clevercat]

Yes, thats them. Me and the children were gazing at them yesterday evening.