Quote:
Originally Posted by skysurfer
The closest approach is indeed 4:30 but it is UTC which is shortly after noon in Australia. But any decent telescope will show Mars on the daylight sky with the help of the much brighter Jupiter.
See Stellarium picture (from central NSW at 01:00 UTC == 12:00 AEDT). Closest approach.
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Sky Safari shows the pair at 30 degress altitude at 90 degrees East at 4:35am AEDT, and obviously it is visible prior to that below 30 degrees altitude. The Moon is over by the northern Meridian at that time. Splitting hairs over the UTC closest approach, after daylight, is irrelevant to most Australian observers, which is why the information was posted as written. Closest spproach is a misnomer in any case, as it is apparent separation at this angle as viewed from Earth. If your in Australia and go outside between 4 and 4:30am AEDT on Sunday morning you won't be able to miss it, whether using your naked eye, binos, or your other gear.