Astronomy

[Richard Romeo]

A friend fwd this to me.  Rich


A few times per year the ballet of celestial objects, with orbits
choreographed by the forces of gravity, create a spectacular
"conjunction" in the sky.  Solar eclipses, where the Moon passes in
front of the Sun, are the best known class of conjunctions.


Tonight, just after sunset, there will be a photogenic conjunction of
the crescent moon with the bright planet Venus.  The two will be so
close together on the sky (less than 1.6 degrees) that your thumbnail
held at arm's length would cover both of them completely.




Apart from being beautiful, a conjunction of the crescent moon and a
bright star has religious significance in the Muslim community and
appears on many flags of Islamic nations.


If it's clear this evening, look low in the southwest between 4:45PM
and 7:00PM, the time interval in which most of you will be heading
home.  The Sun will have set at around 4:30PM.


No telescope necessary, just your eyes and a sense of cosmic romance.



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