A beautiful sight

[andyc277]

I just walked out the back door, looked westerly and saw a queue of the Moon, Venus and Jupiter.

The crescent moon is being lit on the dark side by the immense amount of light from Venus. Or is that my imagination?

[gooseholla]

No. It is being lit by earth I believe.

[Lynxi]

Just been out and saw the same, it really is a nice view, need my cameras charged or batteries for pictures. Hope the sight remains while I run and get some batteries!

[andyc277]

I could take a photo but the LP would ruin it.

[laser_jock99]

Twas indeed a nice sight on the drive home tonight.

[lukebl]

The crescent moon is being lit on the dark side by the immense amount of light from Venus. Or is that my imagination?

It is earthshine

[Cath]

Yes I saw them as I was setting my camera up to catch the ISS, just managed to get the Moon, Venus and Jupiter before the clouds decided to put a stop to my night time viewing.

A bootiful sight!

Moon, Venus & Jupiter 24th Feb 2012 18:33:39

[Hypernova]

I agree that it is great sight with them all lined up in the evening twilight and a camera would've been great if I had one to hand, especially at around the time of the ISS pass as it rose up out of the west and sailed over all three

It seeing things like these that keep my interest in astronomy ticking over between proper observing nights.

[kyrol]

got home from work, quickly got my gear set up in the garden tripping over myself a couple of times in my hurry, everything set up just needed my laptop and web cam, rushed outside and doh! it had clouded over...

[LukeSkywatcher]

Can't see anything but clouds tonight.

[boabsta]

Seen this as me and better half were leaving tesco. The moon was starting to cloud over but it was a thin cloud to start with and made the moon look like it was going into eclipse. Very wierd. Was game over by the time we got home tho so no point trying to get cam out. Shame.

[StarryEyes]

I noticed it too (well it was pretty hard to miss!)

I was just going out with my friends when I spotted it. Only had my phone on me so shot a quick pic on that so the quality is terrible but here it is.

[andyc277]

Just thought about my original summisings. The side of the moon we can see is opposite to the side where any light from venus would fall. That is unless someone has moved the moon.

[YorkieGraham]

I agree, a magical sight. I was out walking the dog after work and had taken the binoculars with me as I had seen the line-up when I was driving home. Only had a phone camera on me though. The moons earthshine was fantastic through the binoculars, you could see the Maria as darker patches. Great sight!

[Brumtaffy]

We were indeed lucky the clouds parted for just a while It was an awesome sight tonight. Wide-field DSLR shots risk burning out the moon in order to get the planets. My k-5 was taking 2.5 sec exposures (aperture priority mode), I'll have to have a look see what's in the 'can'

[Peter Drew]

Look again near the next new Moon, all three will be together in wie angle binos.