Ceres and Vesta Converge in the Sky on July 5

[Hans Tucker]

Has this been discussed? If I have duplicated another thread topic...sorry.

http://www.universetoday.com/112658/ceres-and-vesta-converge-in-the-sky-on-july-5-how-to-see-it/#more-112658

[mithrandir]

It did get listed in http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1093047 but since that thread hasn't been updated for ages the reminder won't go astray.

[Suzy]

You just beat me to posting it along with that superb University Today link! :thumbsup:
I didn't realise another thread existed also, so good on you for the reminder.

Oooh I can't wait to see this. I haven't seen an asteroid before, let alone two of them together- whoa! :eyepop:

[StephenM]

Hi Suzy and all,

I've just posted a little animation of these two, covering their motion over the last six nights. It might be useful for anyone who wants a look. The link is:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=1095147#post109514 7

Cheers,
Stephen

[Suzy]

Hi, thanks so much that Stephen :thumbsup:.

Oh crikey, going by your pic these two look difficult to spot as they look like the same size and brightness of the surrounding stars :sadeyes:. I'm doomed. :sadeyes:

[RichardJ]

Hi Suzy,

This may help
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/ceres-and-vesta-in-2014/

Print out the detailed map. Vesta is brighter than Ceres and can be seen in 10 x 50 binoculars. First find the right angle triangle of stars near Zeta Virginis and go from there. Have a look at my animation from last Wed-Thurs over in the solar system imaging section. There were lovely and fairly close in my 15cm Newtonian last night.

Good luck.

RichardJ :)

[Suzy]

Hi Richard :hi:thank you so much those tips tho I missed your post when I observed them on the night of the 5th (I see you posted that morning).

I'd already seen that S&T link some days ago but I didn't find it very helpful for me. So instead I did some homework in my Starry Night planetarium programme and I also found this terrific image (http://www.virtualtelescope.eu/2014/07/05/ceres-vesta-close-conjunction-image-4-july-2014/) as a guide (by Gianluca Masi at the Virtual Telescope).

I did see that triangular shaped asterism you mention and using that and Zeta Virginis, I was on it like a hot potato :D. It helped that Vesta was the brightest thing around within that field (aside from zeta of course). It was an easy catch in my 9x50 finder too :D. So I saw them both- I was tickled pink & I couldn't get over how bright they were! Even hubby came out in the cold in nothing but a t-shirt to have a look-see.

Ahhhhh times like these, don't you just love owning a telescope :party:.
While I was observing them, I had Donna Summer's song "Love to Love You Baby" playing. First time I've ever played it under the stars. If the sky wasn't gorgeous enough already- omg it got very sexy to boot :lol:.