I had a look at SkySafari for Frankston on the 21st December at 7.30 pmand it shows Jupiter at 23degrees plus and 12 degrees at 8.30. Still doable.
Peter
I've got some Stellarium screenshot pics here.
You can see at 7.30 pm = 19.30 hours that
Jupiter is well above the horizon in daytime +35 degrees.
The second picture shows that the conjunction
is close to the horizon at 21:57:43 when there is actual darkness.
7 degrees elevation is highlighted in yellow.
The last picture is a close up.
I've got some Stellarium screenshot pics here.
You can see at 7.30 pm = 19.30 hours that
Jupiter is well above the horizon in daytime +35 degrees.
The second picture shows that the conjunction
is close to the horizon at 21:57:43 when there is actual darkness.
7 degrees elevation is highlighted in yellow.
The last picture is a close up.
That definition of astronomical twilight - 18 degrees below the horizon is discouraging for sure and even nautical twilight as 12 degrees is to a degree. But with such an event as this, you just have to try and make the best of the situation on the day. As has been suggested, it might be worth doing some images a few days before - the separation is not a5 its minimum but seeing should be better. I’m going to try.
Jupiter is a daytime object, pretty sure Saturn will be visible next to it around sunset at the latest. I remember a thread where someone imaged Jupiter while the sun was up and somebody else asking what the point was of doing that...well, here were are
Jupiter is a daytime object, pretty sure Saturn will be visible next to it around sunset at the latest. I remember a thread where someone imaged Jupiter while the sun was up and somebody else asking what the point was of doing that...well, here were are
I have observed Saturn conjunction with the Moon during the daytime, it is certainly possible to image it, but I would suggest a Red filter to enhance the contrast and reduce the brightness of the sky.
The forecast from BOM for the 17th is grim. Heavy rain, flash flooding .... It doesn’t go as far as the 20th and 21st yet, but I am not very hopeful ATM.
The forecast from BOM for the 17th is grim. Heavy rain, flash flooding .... It doesn’t go as far as the 20th and 21st yet, but I am not very hopeful ATM.
At least you can fly interstate now to escape the Qld summer.
The hills around Coonabarabran NSW would be a great vantage point.
The next Great Conjunction is in March 2080, if you would prefer waiting.
There are a few random threads about the forthcoming Grand Conjunction. One of these has been discussing the luminosity differences between Jupiter and Saturn and how to image in that circumstance.
I was prompted to do some research, and found that this was also being discussed on the Cloudy Nights forum, so I am including a link to a CN thread that discusses filter options, and processing:
Clear skies is going to be the biggest challenge by the look of it. Lots of clouds and rain in the forecast. Driving to a sucker hole sounds like the only viable option but even that is like trying to find a needle in a haystack on the east coast.
Sunday evenings cloud map on CFN is showing a definite maybe for a break in the clouds. Monday evening looks hopeless, the day of closest approach but the difference to the Sunday is not that much so may be the likely option.
Sunday evenings cloud map on CFN is showing a definite maybe for a break in the clouds. Monday evening looks hopeless, the day of closest approach but the difference to the Sunday is not that much so may be the likely option.
The maps are GFS. Still Sunday looks better than Monday or Tuesday in the various forecasts. Fingers crossed.
I've taken some test images and I think the biggest issue will be atmospheric turbulence. I think the best images will be taken early while Jupiter and Saturn are still reasonably high, even though the sky might not be very dark.
Rick
I've taken some test images and I think the biggest issue will be atmospheric turbulence. I think the best images will be taken early while Jupiter and Saturn are still reasonably high, even though the sky might not be very dark.
Rick
You’re right, of course. But the difference between 14 and 18 degrees will be more apparent than real, I think. I’m setting up to image on Sunday night when the forecast is a little less gloomy. Not perfect but better than nothing. Remember the adage “The perfect is the enemy of the good.”
Crikey this weather is a challenge to sanity! Forecasts swing from hour to hour almost. CFN has just squashed my good intentions for tonight but revived my hopes for tomorrow night. I will need a bit of psychiatric help by the time this is over.
Looked like a window here on sunset but that window has closed now and the prediction changed. My sister tells me it is sunny and clear on Bribie today..you might be lucky.
Looked like a window here on sunset but that window has closed now and the prediction changed. My sister tells me it is sunny and clear on Bribie today..you might be lucky.
Nope. 100% cloud by 6.30 with lightning building to the west. Prognosis for tomorrow no better.