I will be setting my alarm for tomorrow morning to have a look at a beautiful and temporary alignment between the waning crescent Moon, Jupiter and Venus.
If you happen to be up (pre-dawn), take a look above the North East horizon for the above sight. Best of luck and clear skies.
Hi,
Thank you for this, I needed to check what I saw this morning. I drove east at 5.30 from Hornsby to Frenchs Forest in Sydney and the star (planet, of course) near the Moon was incredibly bright. I would say this may be the brightest object I have ever seen with the naked eye. (Two days after your diagram the configuration was different, with the crescent low over the horizon and the object at about 10 o’clock, roughly 5 Moon diameters from the Moon). I think Venus has gone by today and the thing was Jupiter. But white in color and the Moon crescent thin but large and golden. Fantastic sight in the crystal clear winter skies. Thanks again and all the best, George
George,
Glad to be of help.
If you want to see something brighter, look at an Iridium flare. Under ideal conditions they can be over 100 times brighter than Venus. If you go to http://www.heavens-above.com (and search for your location), it will give you customised predictions for your location. The flares only last about 10 seconds but are spectacularly bright. The flares of light are caused by sunlight reflected off the surfaces of polished surfaces of antennas on the Iridium series of satellites.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Thanks a lot Paul,
I guess people make a few UFO calls to their local Sheriff about those flares. I will check them out. 43 years yesterday since the lift-off of the Apollo 11.
It’s all amazing stuff.
Will come back to you with more questions in future, I’m sure.
Regards, George
I was fortunate yesterday morning to be in a cloudless Brisbane heading to the airport at 5am and this was amazing – just over a shoulder of Orion (cue the final ‘Tears in the rain’ scene in Bladerunner!) And today in Melbourne at 5.30am I was swimming at the local pool, saw it again (I spent more time gazing at this beautiful sight and not swimming) I had to google it, when I came across your page – thanks!
I’ll be a regular visitor from now on!
Al
George,
I believe the Bureau of Meteorology used to get the occasional phone call when the Iridium satellites were first put up in orbit from people wondering what they had seen. I don’t know if that still happens.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Alan,
Glad that the site was of help. And yes, I am familiar with Blade-runner. A favourite film.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
finally I have been able to establish what i have been seeing the past two mornings when I leave for work at 5.15am. What a awesome sight it is, over Tanjil East in Vic. thanks for this great website. I most certainly will be returning.
cheers
Ree
Ree,
Glad that the site has been of help.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.