BS: Moon and Jupiter - astronomy question

Subject: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 04:25 PM

I have noticed that it looks as if the moon will pull across and obscure Jupiter for a couple of hours this evening. Is there any special astronomical term for this occurrence? I just wondered idly when this last happened on Christmas Day!

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 04:26 PM

Bugger - a man of my age ought to be able to spell astronomy!

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 04:30 PM

If the moon oasses in front it is called an occultation.
I do not think it will happen though.
Just being close is called a conjunction.
It is very close tonight.
Worth a look.

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 04:41 PM

Thanks Keith. I will keep an eye on it. It looks like it is going to be a near thing!

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: Joe_F
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 06:51 PM

It seems not. There was one this year, tho -- on 15 July.

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: Don Firth
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 12:21 AM

I don't know whether "transit" applies in this case or not. If Venus crosses in front of the sun, that's referred to as a "transit of Venus." Venus appears on the face of the sun as a small, black disc, but you can still see the sun (with proper equipment so you don't fry your retinas).

But the Moon would completely obscure Jupiter, so occultation would apply, but "transit?" Hmm. I dunno. Maybe not.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 01:43 AM

Hubby the astronomy prof says it's a conjunction.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 04:52 AM

Something would have to be scarily close to transit the moon.

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 07:04 AM

It was a glorious sight from north Cornwall, with the moon and Jupiter appearing to race together though fast-scudding clouds. I got everybody out to have a look. No mean feat on a boozy Christmas night in!

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: GUEST,DDT
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:14 AM

"Something would have to be scarily close to transit the moon."

Will likely happen in 2029.

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: beardedbruce
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:26 AM

Moon in front of Jupiter- occultation

Jupiter in front of Moon -BIG problem! But we would not be here to worry about what to call it, afterwards.

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:50 AM

"But we would not be here to worry about what to call it, afterwards."

May I suggest HFB?

Subject: RE: BS: Moon and Jupiter - astsronomy question
From: GUEST,Penny who's lost her cookie
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 02:46 PM

I checked out - there was an occultation visible from parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Very close conjunction hereabouts.
Penny