Yeah. I noticed how close they were the other night. At least I think I was looking in the right place.
The Great Conjunction
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My Late Mother has French roots, but I'm a Dutchman and a life time member of the Broken Riffle Movement.
I am in Southern Ohio. It's been overcast.
"Christmas Star" is a misnomer. I should have said "Really bright planets coming together to look like one star".
If I’ve been looking in the right place, it’s to the southwest, and I suppose it would be about the same for everyone in North America. ?I am in Southern Ohio. It's been overcast.
"Christmas Star" is a misnomer. I should have said "Really bright planets coming together to look like one star".
Actually, it's not! I bought it used and was thinking the same thing when the guy on Astromart first wrote me about it, but it was actually home built by a master craftsman. The builder even ground his own mirror and then sent it to Galaxy Optics for finishing, testing, and coating. The mirror is on a par with Zambuto, as far as the testing is concerned.
I do, however, remember my first view through one of those 17.5 inch Coulters, back in the 80s as a kid. I was bowled over by both the size of the thing, and what you could see with it! After that, a big dob was on my bucket list, but it wasn't until this past summer that it became a reality.
These days certain Nikon cameras that can be obtained used for like $80 can be used to effectively stargaze
I also have been watching the progression the past few weeks. It’s been cool and clear in San Jose - perfect viewing from the deck while smoking my late afternoon pipe.
The bigger question is what is the greatest conjunction? And, but, for, so, nor...or yet?
The bigger question is what is the greatest conjunction? And, but, for, so, nor...or yet?
Here in Tucson it's sunny for at least a portion of the day 350 days of the year. It's a great place to live if your hobby is amateur astronomy!
I paid my dues though. I grew up in one of the cloudiest cities in the country (Portland, OR), and then lived for 15 years in Minnesota, where the best time of the year for observing (winter) also features -20 degree weather!
I probably won't be able to stay in Arizona forever, but if I could, I probably would, and at least 80 percent of the reason is the weather.
Having recently moved I know where my telescope is but I've no idea where the tripod is. Luckily my scope is an ancient ETX 90 (perfect for viewing planets) so I'll just set up on a table.
There's also the Christmas asteroid:
www.express.co.uk
And the Geminids meteor shower.
Heaven is celebrating Christmas, they're not locked down. ?
Asteroid as big as Salisbury Cathedral set to pass Earth on Christmas
AN ASTEROID as big as Salisbury Cathedral is due to have a close encounter with Earth on Christmas Day, according to NASA.
www.express.co.uk
And the Geminids meteor shower.
Heaven is celebrating Christmas, they're not locked down. ?
Even better, some of those Coulters are wretched if you want to apply any magnification. Mine is completely custom in all aspects except the tube itself. So while it's pretty tweaked, it's no Zambuto. Happy viewing!!!
We lucked up with a clear night here after a couple of weeks of overcast nights. I was able to see the conjunction with unaided eyes and what I think was one of Jupiter's moons when viewing with my binoculars. A deer hunting friend said he could see Saturn's rings through his rifle's scope. Mars was also viewable tonight with unaided eyes higher up in the sky and on the opposite side of Earth's moon. Though this was interesting to see, as was the Comet Neowise earlier this year, and the Perseid meteor showers this summer, I enjoy seeing the satellite trains more, especially when they are in their low initial orbits.
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