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You won't have to get out your telescopes to see Mars, Venus and the moon put on a show, Jan. 31.
The three celestial objects will be exceptionally close to each other on Tuesday night in a rare celestial treat called a conjunction.
[...] Kief says the best time to watch the conjunction is after sunset, starting at 8 p.m. PT. [Editor's Note: UTC-8]
He says to identify Venus, look for the glowing object that has a red and yellow tinge to it. Venus will shine slightly brighter than Mars, since it's closer to the Earth. Mars has an orange and red tinge to it.
And remember, if the celestial object you're looking at twinkles, it's probably not a planet.
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Mars, Venus, Moon Conjuction on Tuesday
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There will be big changes for you but you will be happy.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 31 2017, @02:34PM
Venus is the brightest thing shining in the sky. It looks like somebody turned on a spotlight far-far away from you and is pointing it right at you. As I was observing it Friday night I had to use darkening filters (neutral density and variable polarizer) on my telescope to view it comfortably. And through a telescope it is a beautiful crescent right now - a bigger crescent by volume than the Moon right now.
Due to phase, it is brighter as a point source than the Moon is right now.
Look where the Moon is. You'll see Venus. Mars will be harder but should be visible and look for the orangeness. (You have to look in the Moon's vicinity because last I compared them it was easy to mistake Betelgeuse in the shoulder of Orion for Mars.)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 31 2017, @05:34PM
Uranus will be nearby, too, but you'll have to imagine it.
(Score: 2) by rts008 on Tuesday January 31 2017, @09:09PM
Not if you have a mirror handy.
Have a mirror? Then you too, can goatse yourself!
* OMG! Look at the size of those bloody piles! Mount Doom, I tell you.*
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 31 2017, @09:05PM
> Venus is the brightest thing shining in the sky.
Apart from the sun, you insensitive clod.