Planetary Lineup

Hi all

Before dawn on Sunday, April 24, there is a fine lineup of planets low in the eastern sky, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Saturn and the moon all being visible around 5.30am local time.  If you have a good view of the east/south-east sky all will be visible.  Just be careful of the approaching sun.

The weather looks promising.

Paul

Hi Paul, 

Very many thanks for this notification. Not sure if I'll be able to get up early... I'm a bit of a night owl, but I'll give it a go. 

Clear skies, 
Darren. 

Hi all

I got up from my warm sofa at 4.30am, looked out the back window to see a beautiful blood orange waning crescent moon low to the east.  I hopped into the car and headed up Killiney Hill armed with binoculars and camera.
There was a line of cloud hugging the horizon, to the naked eye, Venus was visible and nothing else.  With the binoculars I found Saturn and Mars, knowing where to look, I saw Saturn with the naked eye, it was not easy to pick out, Mars was too faint.  Neptune lies between Venus and Jupiter, I was unable to find it.
With the approach of the sun, Saturn disappeared, the cloud persisted and Jupiter never got high enough to escape.
I tried a few photos, but they showed nothing.
By 6.00am, there was no sense in trying any longer, the sun was due to rise and I waited for that, it didn't disappoint as it rose as a beautiful deep orange ball.
I took an early morning walk to Dalkey and listened to the bird song.

The show goes on for the rest of the week and on Saturday morning, Jupiter and Venus get very cosy, being a mere 0.2 degrees apart.

Paul

 

Great job, Paul!
To see 4 Solar System bodies is never an easy task. 

By the way, I'm available to do some observing next Friday night at the Sugarloaf - if it's clear. 

Clear skies from Aubrey.   

A bit late to the party, but I enjoyed reading about your attempt to view the planets early last week... Did anyone have any joy with the lineup over the week?

All the best, 
Darren.