Finally got to see the nice conjunction in the western sky

Hi All,
The weather gods played ball last night and I managed to sight the Mercury/Venus/Jupiter conjunction.
They were easily seen in binoculars, but to the naked eye, only Venus was readily visible.
Mercury and Jupiter were not definitely visible.
farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/8879395856_0e2525b3e4_o.jpg


These planets are far fainter then I would have thought .
Its looking good again tonight, so it will be interesting to see how much things have really moved.

If ever there was 1 guy who ought to see this great conjunction -it's you, Dave. I'm delighted you saw them. Best wishes for tonight. I'm heading off to the Sugarloaf in Wicklow with John Flannery, Ken Finlay and Michael Murphy.

Clear skies to everyone.

Aubrey.

Thanks Aubrey, clear skies indeed for all tonight.
Everyone who can, should get out tonight and see this. It's the closest conjunction like this until 2026.

Hear, hear, Dave. Let us have even more reports about this fascinating event from all parts of Ireland. World War 3 could have started by 2026!

Aubrey.

Hi Dave,

I'm down here in the south of France, high up in the southern Alpes, and I got to see the triple conjunction just after sunset on the 26th May... just before the trio disappeared behind the high alpine walls that surround us here in Serres Aero Club (I'm learning to fly sailplanes!)

I didn't have a good enough camera to take any shots but the sky was strikingly clear of all moisture (we've had weeks of rain and howling Mistral winds) and I was amazed to be able to see all three planets in a lovely triangle just above the mountain tops. What really blew me away was that Mercury was *so bright*!!! I've never been able to see Mercury naked-eye from Ireland. Here in the south of France it was like looking at Saturn it was so bright!!!

I'm glad I remembered to go out and look for it in the freezing night air when I did because the rain and snow have returned with a vengeance! The weather is really screwed up - I think we may have broken it! :X Camping in tents is supposed to be fun!

All the best,

Phil.

maps.google.com/maps?q=A%C3%A9rodrome+de...9on,+France&t=p&z=10

PS - There are two great amateur observatories near here that cater for astronomy holidays if anyone is interested in an Alpine holiday!:

translate.google.com/translate?hl=fr&sl=...tp://www.obs-bp.com/ - this is a really professional outfit - serious big-budget toys!!
www.sunstarfrance.com/

wow Phil, camping in the southern Alps, sailplanes, sounds real nice and what a view you must get, cold though I'd bet. Glad you saw the conjunction, its amazingly clear here today, and its going to stay that way for tonight.
Will talk again.