Conjunction of Jupiter, Venus & Mercury: May 26th, 2013.

[Suzy]

The Dance Of The Planets!

Jupiter, Venus & Mercury come within a tight triangle only 3 degrees wide on May 26th.
Triple planetary conjunctions are rare, the last one was in May 2011 and the next won't be till October 2015.

This will be a great photo opportunity and if the skies are clear, I'm even going to have a go. A point and shoot camera on a tripod is really all you need.

More information here: http://scitechdaily.com/planets-aligning-in-rare-triple-conjunction/

[asimov]

Thanks Suzy, I might as well give this a go.

[ian musgrave]

While the three planets (Venus, Mercury and Jupiter) will be closest on 26 and 27 May, watching the three of them change position from 24 May (when Venus and Mercury are closest) to 31 May (when all are in a straight line), will be great, weather and horizons permitting.

Viewing hints and sky simulations here
http://astroblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/dance-of-planets-may-20-june-4-2013.html

And a simulation of the sky in 2026 (the next tightest triple planet meet) and 2040 (all 5 bright planets close together) is here
http://astroblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/the-planet-dances-main-attraction.html

Cheers! Ian

[Suzy]

Many thanks for that Ian. :thumbsup:
Lots of great information there and the simulation is brilliant!

[h0ughy]

yep thanks for this - it was a beautiful sight on Sunday afternoon (26 may 2013)

[Suzy]

Thanks so much Houghy for sharing those pics!

The 3rd one is my favourite because it's so perfectly lined up on the hump of that mountain, classic :lol:.

[astroron]

Great shots, but #3 it is Dave :)
You are lucky to get such a clear sky for the occasion.
Cheers:thumbsup: