Private: Moon and Venus a Halloween attraction
October 25, 2008 - ES Tonight
As darkness falls tonight and tomorrow, look in the general direction of the “sunset”:http://earthsky.org/article/sunrisesunset-moonrisemoonset-almanacs to see the “waxing crescent moon”:http://earthsky.org/article/waxing-crescent and blazing planet Venus.
In North America, the moon and Venus will pair up more closely this Friday evening. As seen from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, the moon and Venus will appear closer together at nightfall Saturday.
The moon and Venus can be seen from around the world, except for the far northern latitudes – like Alaska or Scandinavia. At mid-northern latitudes – like those in the U.S. and Europe – you’ll still need an unobstructed southwestern horizon to see the moon and Venus, because these worlds lurk low in the sky at nightfall. South of the equator, the moon and Venus stand higher above the horizon.
Next to the sun, the moon and Venus are the two brightest celestial bodies. They should be fairly easy to pick out as darkness falls. But don’t mistake the planet Jupiter – which is also very bright – for Venus. Venus will be brighter, lower in the sky and closer to the moon.
All weekend, look for the moon and Venus at evening dusk. This shining duo will set only a few hours after sunset, so be sure to catch this evening attraction before night’s curtain falls.
What is your thought on the planet. We are saying a planet not sure what it is. We saw this palent come up in the east and go down south-east, although lately we seem to notice it is not descending down as fast as it was earlier. We have been watching this planet for the pass few yrs doing the same but getting closer to us because we have noticed the size most definatly getting bigger. This planet is first seen in the east soon as it is dusk we will see it, we did all summer again this yr. We live in the Robson Valley and the Rockies and Cariboo mountains on both sides of us. But it has been amazeing what we have been watching.And seeing more of the bright lights, they look like balls of energy so bright, we see them flying around in the valley. Also seems that when we talk on how bright these lights look, it’s almost like the light’s sense this. And disappear in a hurry so incrediable too see these balls of light.