This past Friday night the most wonderful thing began to happen. I had heard in the newspaper that the crescent Moon, Venus, and Jupiter were going to align.
So as the sun set over the Rocky Mountains I took a look up. Of course the crescent Moon and Venus were visible immediately because of their intensity. Then as the sun sank deeper out of sight, pulling the last of the days light with it, Jupiter began to shine.
Just like that, there they were, almost perfectly lined up. But this was just the beginning of the weekend's celestial activities...
By Sunday night the Moon had formed a triangle with the two planets. To look up into the ombré of the dimming night sky was like watching a waltz between the Moon, Venus and Jupiter, how wonderful! The Moon has since set below the horizon before this sight can happen again. But luckily Venus and Jupiter will soon be only five degrees apart in early evening come mid March, providing ample entertainment during sunsets.
Happy Star Gazing!
~Jordan
* Last time in Nature: Soundscape Adventures