Jupiter and Venus - March Skywatching

Thanks Swans. We will be watching tonight.

Can you offer your input on people standing up brooms all over the world today because of the planetary alignment?

JJ cannot get his broom to stand! LOL!! Any advice is welcome.

Tammy

I wonder if you would please describe which planet is which when looking at them without binocs etc. Thank you!

If anyone uses an Apple iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone, the "Star Walk" app is so handy for those of us who aren't skilled like Swan at identifying everything. You simply point your device at the night sky and the interface identifies everything. I have a great time with it! My BF and I often debate which star is which and it's simple to bring up the app and then we know which one of us is right. 😀

Venus is the very bright white one. Jupiter is the dimmer white one above that (but still brighter than the stars). Mars is also up there later in the evening, and is dim orange (but still brighter than the stars).

We have the Star Walk app as well. It's wonderful!

Thanks Swans. We will be watching tonight.

Can you offer your input on people standing up brooms all over the world today because of the planetary alignment?

JJ cannot get his broom to stand! LOL!! Any advice is welcome.

Tammy

Hi JJ, Hi Tammy,
JJ...unfortunately, brooms standing up during full moons, planetary alignments, or equinoxes is a superstition or myth. None of the events cause this effect and none cause such a gravitational pull as to cause such a phenomenon.

I would suggest, however, that a bristle broom manufactured with very evenly 'cut' bristles, may be able to stand alone; it also would be able to do so any day of the year and not only during planetary alignments, full moons, and equinoxes! 😀

Keep up your scientific interests, JJ! In a few short years you will amaze us with new discoveries from Earth and out through the universes!

Swan

Drat.

*puts broom away*

😀

http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/

This site may help in locating the planets. It is also an interesting site for skywatchers to navigate and enjoy.

Scroll down to "The Current Position of Planets in the Night Sky" to view their positions tonight. Notice that Venus and Jupiter pretty much come up together.

Bob was KEY in pointing out the definitive identifier...Venus is very bright and Jupiter is less in brightness. Many thanks, Bob!

Swan

I would suggest, however, that a bristle broom manufactured with very evenly 'cut' bristles, may be able to stand alone; it also would be able to do so any day of the year and not only during planetary alignments, full moons, and equinoxes! 😀

Swan

Maybe a cocoyea broom will be able to stand alone?
Easy to make & free.

Miss Swans, Thank your intelligence and for giving us an answer. I hope you discover something new in space to share with us.

Joey, aka JJ

Sorry, I meant to say, thank you for your intelligence. Sorry.

Sorry, I meant to say, thank you for your intelligence. Sorry.

Hi JJ,

No apologies are necessary, JJ. I feel honored to meet you through the wonderful and amazing world of science and scientific discovery! And I am only too pleased to share science with you.

You are a VERY SPECIAL boy and I am proud to have you as a friend. You are a very intelligent individual. You set such a wonderful example for all other children to follow!

Miss Swan

Miss Swans, thank you very much. My mom told me that this message board is only for adults so I can't type on here anymore. She said if I have questions or want talk to you she would send you a message. I feel very honored that you called me a friend. I hope you have a good night looking at the stars and planets.

Joey aka JJ

http://www.space.com/14753-mars-skywatching-tips-earth-opposition.html

Greetings,
It appears as though Mars wants to dazzle skywatchers this month by lending some competition to his friends, Jupiter and Venus. 🙂

A note to our "Asteroid Buffs" - No NEO (Near Earth Objects) asteroids are expected to impact Earth; Jupiter is not in the scenerio at this time. 😀
Swan

The whole "BROOM THING" is still a good reason to get the broom in the hands of our kids (or spouse! ). Just don't tell them it's not true!!! Tell them it might work if the broom is used for 5 minutes first.

http://www.space.com/14753-mars-skywatching-tips-earth-opposition.html

Greetings,
It appears as though Mars wants to dazzle skywatchers this month by lending some competition to his friends, Jupiter and Venus. 🙂

A note to our "Asteroid Buffs" - No NEO (Near Earth Objects) asteroids are expected to impact Earth; Jupiter is not in the scenerio at this time. 😀
Swan

I hate Jupiter! Gluttonous bitch! That was my asteroid!!

http://www.space.com/14753-mars-skywatching-tips-earth-opposition.html

Greetings,
It appears as though Mars wants to dazzle skywatchers this month by lending some competition to his friends, Jupiter and Venus. 🙂

A note to our "Asteroid Buffs" - No NEO (Near Earth Objects) asteroids are expected to impact Earth; Jupiter is not in the scenerio at this time. 😀
Swan

I hate Jupiter! Gluttonous bitch! That was my asteroid!!

Aussie,
I'm sorry you feel that way...such a beautiful planet, indeed, who not only boasts of 63 different and exciting moons, but who PROTECTS the Earth by hurling potentially dangerous asteroids headed our way out into space. Please rethink your opinion of Jupiter, will you?
Swan

Nope. Jupiter has to go.

"Below us, nothing."

Mark Twain - "The Damned Human Race." 1909
(Although Twain was noted for his humor, this writting was his most serious work.)

Swan

Nope. Jupiter has to go.

"Below us, nothing."

Mark Twain - "The Damned Human Race." 1909
(Although Twain was noted for his humor, this writting was his most serious work.)

Swan

Aussie,

Mark Twain's writing, "The Damned Human Race," is unrelated to Jupiter's ability to send asteroids into outer space and is in regard to Man on Man and Man's position in relation to the other species on the planet Ican't envision Mr. Clements (Twain) peering into the night sky, spotting Jupiter high above, and thinking - "Jupiter, oh Jupiter, seeing you tonight has suddenly inspired me to write "The Damned Human Race" as I reflect upon your ability to hurl asteroids from the solar system! - while wishing that perhaps Jupiter could throw a few our way.

As for "Jupiter has to go," ...well, Aussie, Jupiter is far to massive to "go" anywhere. Jupiter thinks it has it's own solar system! I'm sure you are aware of that. 😀

Swan

Lemme see...

I think that there just might be a correlation between asteroids, Jupiter, and a species that is a plague upon this planet.

Nope. Jupiter has to go. That was my asteroid!

😀

Lemme see...

I think that there just might be a correlation between asteroids, Jupiter, and a species that is a plague upon this planet.

Nope. Jupiter has to go. That was my asteroid!

😀

Aussie,
Lemme see...

I beg to differ with you. I see no correlation between asteroids, Jupiter, and one particular Earth inhabitant - people. You are unfair when you place mans' continued existence here on Earth on Jupiter's ability to trap and fling asteroids away from Earth (as though Jupiter is intentionally thinking and planning on snatching them from orbit, thereby denying your wish for an asteroid impact here.) You are angry at a planet. 😀

Aussie...Jupiter stays...
Swan

Angry at a planet? LOL...yup...Jupiter. Bloated Gasbag! I'm gonna send a Zippo to her.

As for "...Jupiter is intentionally thinking and planning...", I'll leave that path for you to explore.

🙂

Angry at a planet? LOL...yup...Jupiter. Bloated Gasbag! I'm gonna send a Zippo to her.

As for "...Jupiter is intentionally thinking and planning...", I'll leave that path for you to explore.

🙂

Aussie,
Please look at what you are up against.

I submit: Jupiter "stays." 😀

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/jupiter-article/

Swan

Angry at a planet? LOL...yup...Jupiter. Bloated Gasbag! I'm gonna send a Zippo to her.

As for "...Jupiter is intentionally thinking and planning...", I'll leave that path for you to explore.

🙂

Aussie,
Please look at what you are up against.

I submit: Jupiter "stays." 😀

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/jupiter-article/

Swan

Gluttonous gasbag! OK, I'm headed to the basement to tinker with my latest anti-Jupiter device. Wait! I don't have a basement. Freaking island! OK, I'll start by digging a basement...sigh...

🙂