Monday, December 1, 2008

Venus, Jupiter and Luna Conjunction


Woo Hoo I got to see the conjunction, almost didn't. Hope some of you had the same luck I did, it was cloudy right up until the last moment but the clouds broke just in time and then only for awhile, hey, I was prepared to go down to Moose Jaw where it was supposed to be clear. When I told people at work my plans to travel 2 hours to see the gathering I got a lot of shaking of the heads and them saying BOB!, get that a lot. So maybe I am a little obsessed, and why not, lets take a look at this logically.


The stars, planets, Moon, are always on time, never late, never early, in other words very dependable. They keep on giving me their best and don't ask for anything in return, just that I show up, even then they could careless if I don't watch, my loss if I don't come to the latest show. No hidden agendas, they are what they are, a star doesn't try to be a planet and visa-versa, don't try to trick you in to believing there is a conjunction and then when you get there no ones around, what's not to like? Plus the gathering was just plain awesome. The images below are from the conjunction Sunday night.







The image below is the gathering from Saturday night, the tiny crescent Moon is hiding in the atmosphere in the lower right of the image. If anybody out there got an image of the conjunction, let me know and I will post it on my site and ship you a free pair of Hanna Montana/ Miley Cyrus 3D glasses, yeah, I still have a gazillion of them.



I'll leave you now with an animation of the 5% of Full Moon, taken Saturday night while the Moon was low in the atmosphere.

77 comments:

Genie said...

Woo hoo! I got it too! Not as good as you, of course.

Genie said...

Awesome, Bob, you really got some fantastic shots! I'm glad the weather cleared for you. I was really looking forward to your view of the conjunction! Thanks to you, I've been watching Venus and Jupiter all week. And the sky was SO clear tonight. Oh, what I could have done with some of YOUR photo equipment. And some of your skill too!

I didn't miss a single opportunity and created several over the holiday to brag on the dvd you sent me and how I got it.

MYM said...

Wowser! I just heard about this on the news, but your explanation & photos are much better - as always!

I'm looking at the photos and thinking, "that's my favourite" then I scroll down and I'm like..."no, that's my favourite!" LOL! Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I waited and waited but the moon didn't appear...until later. BUT only for one moment! I got a shot but it wasn't very clear!! It was very dark and cloudy and at times, it rained for awhile.. I'm sad I missed it.. It's the only time right? No more tonight?

Genie said...

Oh, Bob, you have no idea how excited I am to be getting a pair of Miley Cyrus 3D glasses. I mean, really, the dvd was nice but how can it compare to those rad glasses?

I am truly pleased to have captured Earthshine, thanks for coming by to look! I figure you can swipe any pic from my blog but if it's easier for you for me to email you the photos, let me know.

I'm a member of several moon groups on Flickr and tons of people from all over the world are uploading some AWESOME conjunction/Earthshine shots.

Bob Johnson said...

You did a great job Genie!! I will post one of your images on my blog and ship you a pair of 3D glasses, hey I've only been doing Photography for a year now, all about the equipment and being at the right place at the right time.

Bob Johnson said...

Lol, thanks Drowsey Monkey, hope you got a chance to look at it live, pictures just can't do it justice, it was beautiful.

Bob Johnson said...

No more of this conjunction Cashmere, but the good news, an awesome Jupiter, Mercury and Lunar conjunction December 28, maybe you'll have better luck.

Bob Johnson said...

lol, great Genie!! they rock, Thanks for the heads up about the Moon group, have to take a look.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures Bob! Any chance I can get the first one only bigger so I can make it my desktop background image?

Bob Johnson said...

No Problem CJ Harley, I can email you a larger pic if you want, I find if you just click on the pic it gets large enough, then save it to your desktop and then you can use it as wallpaper.

Genie said...

There are several moon groups on Flickr where people are putting their conjunction shots, but here's a group set up specifically for this conjunction. http://www.flickr.com/groups/911908@N25/?added=2

Moonshadow said...

Bob, I'm sooo glad you got a good shot of the conjuction. We had a beautifully clear sky and I could see them bright and clear, BUT my wonderful Canon EOS 40D is in the shop with an "error 99". They hope to be able to ship it back to me in a week. :(

Anonymous said...

Hey Bob!

What lens and what camera are you using to shoot all these? just wondering... :)

Ruth said...

Yayayayayay for you, Bob!! What a surprise after your tears last post. ;D

It was snowing here, but I confess I don't remember what exact time I was supposed to look. What time was this for you? Forgive me if you said last post.

FANTASTIC photos, you must be so geeked. I can totally see why you would drive 2 hours to see such an event and sight.

Anonymous said...

I am not sure what a conjunction is, but we saw it last night. I brought my son out to see it, as I had never seen anything like it before. So it was something special, cool I will have to let him know.

Bob Johnson said...

Great thanks for the link Genie!

Bob Johnson said...

NO WAY moonshadow, that sucks, error 99, what does that even mean? Hey at least you got to see it live, which is always better then a photo, the Mercury, Jupiter Moon conjunction Dec 28, gets you another chance.

Bob Johnson said...

Cashmere, I am using a Canon 40D and a 300 mm lens.

Bob Johnson said...

Lol thanks for understanding Ruth, not many did, I was pretty happy that the clouds broke, too bad about the snow, was initially supposed to here, bypassed us, very lucky.

Bob Johnson said...

Hi Melissa, a conjunction is when the Moon or a planet come within 10 degrees, 20 Moon widths, of another celestial body, such as a star or group of stars or each other.

kml said...

What a great shot, Bob! And you are as dependable as the skies above for bringing us these great images. Keep up the good work, my friend!

Moonshadow said...

After getting the "error 99" message and my camera not working I first researched it online. Then I did all the troubleshooting that was recommended. When that failed I called Canon. I compare "error 99" to the dreaded "blue screen" on the computer. It can shut you down and it's caused by any number of things.

Haley H said...

Awesome photos of the conjunction.

I love visiting your site. You show me all the things I'm not seeing when I look at the night sky.

Swubird said...

Bob:

Fabulous. As I already told you in my last comment, we were on our way home from Vegas Sunday afternoon and got a crystal, clear, beautiful view of the conjunction. Of course, we didn't know what planets were gathered for our viewing, but we managed to guess that one was Venus, and the long shot was Jupiter. And, of course, the big one at the bottom had to be the Moon.

I had my little 1.8 MP camera in the car, but there was such think traffic that we didn't dare take our eyes off the road long enough to grab a shot. Our loss, because I would definitely like to have a pair of those 3-D glasses you've been talking about.

Love the GIF.

Happy stargazing.

Sherer said...

Bob,

Now that is an excellent picture - I love it with the clouds and the jovian moons! Fantastic! If I had a picture of the conjunction I would send it, but I didnt manage to take one - Plus my stock is full on Hanna Montana 3d Glasses \m/\m/

Unknown said...

Bob - I clicked on the photo and applied it to my desktop, but it cut off Venus. :o( My email addy is cjharley79 (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thanks Bob!

1st Lady said...

Just lovely!

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Kathy, very lucky this time for sure.

Bob Johnson said...

Too bad, let me know what kind of service you get, I am having trouble with the connection to one of my lenses.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks a lot haleyhughes.

Bob Johnson said...

Good guessing swubird, if you really want a pair send me your address, I can probably spare one,lol.

Bob Johnson said...

Lol Jesse, too many glasses perhaps, hey good catch on the moons

Bob Johnson said...

No problem CJ Harley, I will send you one.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks a lot 1st Lady.

Anonymous said...

Very nice pics

I have gave you some linky love for being a top dropper thanks so much.

Ask Ms Recipe

Bob Johnson said...

Well thank you very much
Ask Ms Recipe.

S-V-H said...

We can see it here too, very clear! It's amazing, how bright they are shining together, so beautiful! It made me happy, to see it so close. :)

Bob Johnson said...

Glad you got to see it Susanne, you're right it was beautiful and so bright.

Don said...

You really have an eye for the universe! Beautiful photos

Ruth and I saw the conjunction this evening on our way home. They weren't as close together as they are in yourpics, but fun to see!

We talked about you and your passion. THanks for sharing

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Don, I was going to take a pic of the gathering last night but it was cloudy then and it is snowing now, glad you guys saw it.

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

BOB!!!!!!! This is FANTASTIC!!!!

I saw the planets but kept asking Jeff, WHERE is the MOON Bob said should be there???

WOOT!!! that you captured the AWESOME Venus, Jupiter and Luna conjunction!!!!!

WOOT!!! I was SOOOOO wanting to see this myself. We've had one snowstorm after another with limited clear skies.

GREAT post and pics!!!!!!!

Hugs, JJ

Anonymous said...

you always get such crisp photos! everytime I attempt, i get blury tastic slow shutter speed specials

Have you redesigned your blog? or am I going odd? its lovely :-)

Bob Johnson said...

Lol and thanks JJ, the Moon didn't show up until Saturday, before it was just the planets, too bad you missed it.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks burning windmill, I had a company redesign it, but that was a few months ago, and I'm the one that is getting old,lol. Noticing peoples design change quite awhile after the fact happens to me all the time,lol.

Anonymous said...

i actually saw it and took a photo, but nothing compared to yours :( but it was really lovely looking at them.

i so love your shots, my favorite though hard to pick one, but would be the moon shot low in the horizon.

RW said...

I knew you would have a great shots Bob I had the wrong camera with me they came out blurry but still glad to see it!

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks betchai, if you want I can post the pics and you get a free pair of 3D glasses.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Roger, if you want I can post the pics for you and get you a pair of 3D glasses.

Marilyn said...

I missed it, and I'm ashamed of myself because I totally forgot about it until somebody asked why they could only see two bright "stars" near the moon and nothing else in the sky.

When you put it that way it makes perfect sense that you'd drive two hours for the show.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks for dropping by Marilyn, too bad you missed the show, it was very bright and cool, hey the next conjunction, I think will be cooler, but harder to see, December 28, Jupiter,Mercury and the Moon, low on the sw horizon just after sunset.

Texas Travelers said...

Great job. Terrific photos.

I gave you a call-out over at my blog, to send some others over here to see this terrific post of the event.

Troy

Ivanhoe said...

Your pictures are awesome! I admire your passion for astrology :o)

Katney said...

Love that animated shot. I got conjunction shots as well, though certainly not as good as yours with my simple point and shoot sitting on top of the car zoomed out to 10x. We were mostly away from city lights camping--though there was a big yard light right above our campsite.

How did I find you? I think from Ramblings around Texas. I'll be posting one of my shots a bit later--and am glad to know about the Jupiter,Mercury, Moon thing later this month. I hope for clear skies for it.

BookishDude said...

First time on this blog. Absolutely stunning images.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks so much Troy, appreciate the mention.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks a lot Ivanhoe, and thanks for dropping by.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Katney, I'll be keeping an eye out for your posting, good luck with the end of the year conjunction which I believe will be cooler, but not as bright, love any Mercury conjunctions I can see.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks a lot KindleDude, love your name,lol.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is really cool! You took some amazing photos. I wish I had of known about it and I would have taken some pictures as well.

Unknown said...

I love this blog!
Pictures are amazing.
I just suscribed, thanks.

Organic Grog

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Are Aliens Real, too bad, should read this blog,lol, don't forget the Moon, Jupiter, Mercury conjunction, December 28, just after Sunset in the sw, low on the horizon.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks RobRoy, appreciate the subscription.

Mike said...

Great shots Bob. I have so many trees where I live I am lucky to just see the sky at night ha.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Mike, I do too, that's why I take most of my shots out of town.

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful shots. We have had no views of the sky here lately, day or night. It has been foggy with a real temperature inversion. Today the fog was so thick it was like being out in a steady drizzle and the high temp was 39. Last Saturday we went to get our Christmas tree and went up to 6,500 feet elevation in the mountains. It was 20 degrees warmer up there in the sun than under the fog down in the valley.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Will, too bad for you missing the conjunction, always the one on December 28/29.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot and blog.
Congratulations.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks Luiz!

Livingsword said...

Hi Bob…

You know one of the things I love about you is the way you get more excited over a conjunction than a prisoner does about conjugal visits…..If people tell you that you are obsessed tell them you are passionate…

I love your words about how the stars, planets, Moon are dependable, are not demanding etc…Very well said Bob.

Fabulous photos….I love the Saturday Night Fever image…What a gif!!!!

Cath said...

Absolutely AWESOME.

Over from Katney's.

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks a lot CrazyCath!\m/\m/

Anonymous said...

Nice, Bob! You are going to enjoy my email - a special treat all the way from the Himalayas :)

Max Coutinho said...

Hey Bob!

Man, you were lucky!! As I told you last week, I didn't have such luck!

LOL LOL oh, so...your colleagues shake their heads and say "Bob!" LOL LOL I can imagine the scene...
The first picture is magical, Lord of the Astropics! I remember looking at the sky a few days before (the crescent moon was still all so thin)...and thinking "Wow...not that is beautiful!"...I'm telling you, I am getting hooked LOL!
The Sunday night photos are also great! You know, reading your blog gave me a whole new perspective (ok, I am still not a big fan of sci-fi but at least I look at the sky with different eyes...even though I don't know how to recognise the stars, planets, conjunctions etc...but who knows what the future holds lol?)!

Gorgeous post, Bob, just gorgeous!

Have a great week ahead, mate!

Cheers

Bob Johnson said...

Wow, great shot Priyank, posted it.\m/\m/

Bob Johnson said...

Thanks so much Max, too bad you missed the conjunction, you may not be a sci-fi fan yet but who knows, maybe one day, at least you can enjoy the cosmos, the truth, things like the night sky we can view is stranger than fiction anyways.\m/\m/

Anonymous said...

Hey Bob, Great post and photos!

I discovered your lovely blog through Priyank's Final Transit, and I'm very impressed! Looking forward to reading more...