A Celestial Dance

[65Cap]

The recent celestial dance between Venus and Mars has been fascinating to watch. Following this type of event really appeals to me. I love the fact that it is something best viewed with the naked eye, or binocular, and it encourages me to just sit and take in the wider perspective of the sky over the period of a few hours. There is something about a conjunction of the planets that brings home the realisation that in observing such an event I am gazing out across our solar system.

I had the opportunity to make five separate observations between the 16^th and 26^th February, and I have attached the digital versions of some of the rough positional sketches I made, to show how the pairing appeared in an 8x56 binocular.

The 16^th February was the first opportunity I had to see Venus and Mars fit into the same binocular field of view. I had been watching Venus from around 5:30pm, but by 5:50pm I could clearly detect Mars, and it seemed to have an almost pinkish hue against a pale blue-grey background binocular sky. Gradually, as the minutes ticked away, Mars began to appear brighter and more distinct. Encroaching cloud cover brought an untimely end to my observing.

My next observation wasn’t until the 20^th, when the two were significantly closer together. On this occasion even the best view of the session was still obscured by thin, drifting cloud, which left Venus shining as a ghostly apparition through the haze. However, that night did bring another celestial partner to the show, with the pencil thin arc of a four percent illuminated crescent Moon. The trio of Mars, Venus and the crescent just fitted into the same binocular field of view. Whilst even the blurred view of the scene was impressive, under pristine skies it must have looked spectacular. A fleeting naked eye view of Mars and Venus was the best I managed to achieve on the following night.

My most recent two observations were made under much better viewing conditions, and I was able to watch from early twilight, until the pair had almost disappeared from view. With the binocular fixed to a tripod, I was able to watch the changing scene in greater comfort. The burnt umber colouration of Mars became increasingly evident as the sky darkened.

On the 26^th of February I was able to watch from shortly before sunset until Mars had set behind a neighbouring treeline at around 7:15pm. At the start of the session I stood facing up at the waxing Moon, which appeared so very sharply defined in a clear, steady sky. Then looking left, over to the east, was Jupiter, and looking right, over to the west-southwest, was Venus - a brilliant diamond set against almost daylight conditions. In later contrast, just before Mars set from my view, I was able to take in the incredible difference between the blazing white beacon of Venus, and the deep orange point of light that was Mars - all set against a dark blue velvet background sky. Throughout the session I’d been periodically checking the binocular view of Venus and Mars, when I suddenly realised that a lone star had become visible. At about 6:45pm, the magnitude +5.8 star 44 Piscium had popped into view in the deepening twilight, to the immediate lower right of Venus.

I often wonder if people who’ve never had the opportunity to learn about the night sky ever spot Venus and wonder what it must be. I can recall when I became interested in observing, and I made my first naked eye observation of Venus. Standing in awe at how superbly bright it was, I couldn’t help being slightly saddened by the fact that it had taken me until the age of thirty before I had knowingly spotted a planet in the night sky.

I would have loved to have recorded an observation each day, during the period of closest proximity, but I’m happy that I was able to make the observations that I did, and that I’ve had the chance to see another celestial show unfold.

[John]

What a great report and excellent illustrations

I don't think the sense of wonder that you describe ever leaves us, or at least I hope it doesn't.

[ronl]

Nice report, and the sketches are good too, I find the planets fascinating, the movement

and visibility is different every time you observe them, Jupiter and it's moons are a great

favorite of mine, and our Moon too, it's a pity the clouds play games with us, as it is nice

when you can observe four or five nights in a row, but that would be a miracle this time

of year. 

[SteveB72]

Thank you for your report, I have been watching this event on the way home from work. I remember seeing Venus and Mars above the London skyline to the west while walking across Waterloo bridge on the way to catch the train. The footpath was full of people all with their head down completely oblivious.

I also enjoyed seeing Venus and Mercury close together earlier in the month.

After searching the sky for faint nebulae, galaxies or comets etc. with my Dobsonian, it is really good to just look up at the sky and marvel at its beauty with the naked eye.

[Astro Imp]

Lovely report accompanied by great sketches, thank you.

[65Cap]

John - yes, I too hope that sense of wonder and excitement never leaves us. I think once that passion has been fired, it never fades. Even if I'm not outside observing for a while, I love sitting reading about the night sky.

Ron - yes, it's a case of taking the opportunities as they arise. I was even grateful for the partial view through the cloud on the 20th - strangely enough the hazy view held it's own eerie fascination.

SteveB72 - I'll bet that was an impressive sight; seeing them both against the London skyline. I often think how lucky I am to have a semblance of knowledge of the night sky - how sad to have wandered through life never having had the opportunity to appreciate these things.

Jeff.