Turn that frown upside down

[Moon, Venus and Jupiter in the sky above Belmont, MA; 5:30pm, 12/1/08]

This was the scene that greeted me when I got out of work tonight. A rare conjunction of the Moon, Venus and Jupiter (it won't happen again for another 44 years) presented as a frown in the sky (or a cow with a ring in its nose to my oddball eye). But there's no reason to be sad. Bright Venus, the planet of love, joins up with Jupiter, planet of expansion and optimism, and they're briefly adjoined by the faster-traveling Moon - a happy alignment if there ever was one.

Of course, it's not a frown everywhere. My friend C is en route to Australia, where she'll be greeted by this alignment appearing as a welcoming smile, in case the warm sunshine wasn't enough.

Enjoy!

---

For more, see articles at SPACE.com here and the National Geographic here.

Comments

[Lorianne]

Very cool! I saw this on the drive from Waban to Keene tonight, but I didn't know what it was. (Well, I knew it was two planets by the moon, but I didn't know which ones.) I'm impressed you were able to photograph it!

[Jillaurie]

Lucky you! After weeks of watching Jupiter and Venus get closer and closer - we have clouds tonight in florida. Not a single star, planet or moon is visible. Let's see, in 44 years I will be 102.

[Peter]

Ahhhhh! THAT's what I saw tonight! Thank you! I waked home from school in the dark towards this arrangement, and it made me smile almost the whole way.

[Relatively Retiring]

I've never managed to make sense of those star maps which show warriors and Greek gods with swords and belts - but I can see this one!

[Joe]

I heard about it on the afternoon news but alas there were too many clouds around here last night, I guess I'll have to wait the 44 years.

:-)

[kat]

Wasn't it beautiful. On my way home from work last night I was wishing that I had my camera. A breathtaking sight.

[beth]

How terrific is that? Thanks for posting about this celestial event I certainly missed!

[Leslee]

Lorianne: Yes, my trusty Lumix set on Night Scenery got it just fine!

Jillaurie: Sorry you missed it - maybe tonight? I'll be 94, which means I'm unlikely to see it next time either. (BTW, I've read that this aspect appears in the natal chart of RFK.)

Peter: I know! Wasn't it cool?

RR: Yes, for all my interest in astrology, I can't read those charts either. This one you couldn't miss.

Joe: Maybe tonight? At least you're likely to get the chance to see it again in your lifetime!

Kat: Yes, it was.

Beth: I didn't know about it until I left work and it was staring me in the face. Very beautiful sight, indeed.

[Lorianne]

Ah, I used "Night Portrait" last night, when the planets had already drooped away from the moon a considerable distance. (Cosmic frown lines, I guess?) I tried using the "starry sky" setting, but you'd have to have a tripod to hold the camera still during the looooooong exposure. Since "Night Portrait" is designed for creatures who MOVE, it's a much shorter exposure.

I'll have to play around more with "Night Scenery" (on my camera, of course: not literally!) ;-)

[Dick]

Wow! What a spectacle. Let's hope that we're all touched by the alignment!

[Leslee]

Lorianne: Yeah, I tried the Starry Sky exposure - it is amazingly long! I don't think I've tried Night Portrait, but I have used Night Scenery in the past to good effect - although usually with the camera propped on something (I just braced myself against the window sill for this).

Dick: Yes, I hope we all are. :-)

[C]

alas the bright lights of Melbourne are obscuring all of this, but making for a lovely view nonetheless. Nice to know that this lies somewhere above it all. Tomorrow night, some friends are headed out on a penguin watch, so maybe they'll spot it. I'll be back in the city before dark from a day long trip that promises koalas (sp?!), some rainforest backpacking, and a beach rock formation site known as the 12 Apostles but dwindled now, we'e been warned, to 7 or 8. Another ephemeral wonder.

[Leslee]

C: Well all that sounds even more exciting than seeing a smiley in the sky, even with the diminished number of surviving Apostles. I hope you're taking pictures! You must report all...

[Jillaurie]

I did see it the next night. And you could see it at 94. Down here we are seeing residents at 100 and 101 who still dance and think just fine thank you! I might even see it at 102!!

Just restarted my blog after starting to read yours and a few others. Decided to focus on my spiritual life and will do a post friends only if it is too personal. Not sure how to friend you as someone on typepad. Do you know how I do that?

[mm]

Great shot, Leslee. I gave in my notice at work while this was going on ..... hmm.

[Leslee]

Jillaurie: I don't know how Live Journal works at all. Maybe find their support forums and ask? Glad to hear you're blogging again! Will check it out when I have a chance.

MM: Thanks! And wow. Congratulations on taking that step - I'm sure that Jupiter and Venus will be shining on your decision.

[Tim]

Hi hi:

reporting late (I've been on retreat at Kripalu all week). I saw this in SF.....and as a double Sagg you can imagine how happy I was to see Jupiter hanging up there right where I could see it.

Wishing you well,

tk

[Leslee]

Hey Tim, both your excursions sound wonderful. I haven't been out to Kripalu in many years. Anyway, glad you got to see your ruling planet teamed up with Venus and the Moon from SF - how appropriate to be traveling (Jupiter/Sagg) at the time!