2005-06-27
| Location: | Billingborough (South Lincolnshire, UK) |
| From: | 2005-06-27 20:17 UT |
| To: | 2005-06-27 21:20 UT |
| Equipment: | Naked Eye Meade 10x50 Binoculars |
| Notes: |
Made an attempt to see the conjunction of Mercury and Venus. Also wanted to try and see Saturn in the mix too. While I managed to see Mercury and Venus I never did manage to find Saturn. All observations were made from the Western edge of the village. |
Initial attempt at Venus and Mercury
| Time: | 2005-06-27 20:17 UT |
|
Got set up on the Western edge of the village. Did an initial scout around the general location of Venus with the naked eye and then with the binoculars but couldn't find anything. Sun still up. |
Got something but not sure what
| Time: | 2005-06-27 20:23 UT |
|
Sweeping around some more with the binoculars I finally found something. Wasn't sure if I was seeing Venus or Saturn. Was a lone planet so did wonder if it was Saturn but, at the same time, it seemed a little too bright. Once I'd seen it with the binoculars I could just about find it with the naked eye. By this point there appeared to be quite a bit of murk on the horizon and whatever I was seeing was just above it. The sky was very read in the general direction of Sunset. Sun now set from my location. |
Mercury and Venus
| Time: | 2005-06-27 20:27 UT |
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It was Venus I was looking at. How do I know? Because I could now see Mercury at the 7 O'Clock position to Venus with the binoculars! Let me say that again in big bold letters: I could see Mercury! This is the first time in my life that I've ever knowingly seen Mercury! While Venus was now obvious to the naked eye and very easy to find there was no hint of Mercury to the eye. |
Venus now very obvious
| Time: | 2005-06-27 20:37 UT |
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Venus now a very obvious object to the naked eye but no hint of Mercury (wasn't at all sure if I should or could be able to see it with the naked eye at any point). Noted that there was lots of murk on the horizon now and it was starting to look like I might lose them into it. Still no sign of Saturn. Behind me, in the opposite direction from Sunset, I could see the Earth's shadow rising. This is the first time I've knowingly noticed this. |
View of Mercury improving
| Time: | 2005-06-27 20:55 UT |
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Mercury now very obvious and easy to see in the binoculars. Still no hint of it with the naked eye. |
Jupiter
| Time: | 2005-06-27 21:04 UT |
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While looking around the sky noticed that Jupiter had popped into view. Had a look at it with the binoculars but no sign of any of the moons yet. The planet itself was obviously a disc. |
End of session
| Time: | 2005-06-27 21:20 UT |
|
Still unable to see Mercury with the naked eye. Both Mercury and Venus starting to get very close to the trees on the horizon. Could just about make out one of Jupiter's moons with the binoculars. Decided to call it a day for this session and head back home. |
