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Old 06-10-2020, 07:54 PM
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Tinderboxsky (Steve)
I can see clearly now ...

Tinderboxsky is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kingston TAS
Posts: 1,031
Yes, it is disappointing that Jupiter and Saturn will be fast approaching the horizon as twilight fades.
Down here, south of Hobart, I am further west which helps. But the further south one is the longer the twilight. Looking at SkySafari, I suspect I am no better positioned than yourself.
I am not going to try any imaging. Rather, I’ll take a portable rig to a vantage spot with a good west-south-westerly horizon and enjoy the view and experience as the two planets sink side-by-side in the fading twilight. It will be quite a sight and a lasting memory.
I think the closest approach for the conjunction is around midday on the 21st. It will present an ideal daylight viewing opportunity to witness the point of closest approach. This should be relatively straight forward. The Sun will be 30+degrees to the west - a manageable distance and moving away from where a telescope is pointed should tracking fail. Jupiter with it’s bands will be easy to spot, but Saturn will be quite difficult at mag +0.6. I have viewed Saturn in broad daylight at around this magnitude a number of times - this time it should be easier to find given it’s proximity to Jupiter in the same FOV.
The day also presents an opportunity to view four naked eye planets in broad daylight. Venus is well separated from the Sun on the western side. Mars will be a wonderful reddish beacon against the blue sky and well positioned high in the sky late afternoon. Unfortunately, Mercury is far to close to the Sun near Superior Conjunction and out of reach.
Plus there is a 6 day old waxing crescent Moon to bag.




Quote:
Originally Posted by glend View Post
As we were warned by Saturine below, the practicalities of viewing or imaging the Super Conjunction are not insignificant. I was having a look at Sky Safari today for info on when it might be best to view the Super Conjunction around 19-21 December; sadly because it is occurring during the Summer Soltice period, there is an enormous amount of daylight to contend with, and the two planets are not very far away from the Sun. It appeared that at sunset, at my latitude, the pair of Saturn and Jupiter will be very low in the western sky and obscured by trees. Given the long twilight period after actual sunset, there would appear to be no chance, certainly no chance to image the event, in darkness.
While there maybe a chance to observe the conjunction visually, during daylight when they are directly over head, the proximity of the Sun and the risk of sunlight flooding the scope is significant and thus dangerous. I have viewed daylight conjunctions before (Moon and Saturn for example) and the use of a red filter made it feasible (assuming you can Goto) the location precisely, but this one may be impossible here.
I encourage anyone thinking of attempting observing or imaging, to do your research now, find out how your location is going to be impacted by the position of the planet's, and the Sun.

Anyone with suggestions is welcome to provide advice.
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