Venus as 2009 Morning Star

[Centaur]

Venus has begun its apparition as a morning star for northern hemisphere observers, despite the fact that inferior conjunction between Earth and Sun in celestial longitude won’t occur until 2009 MAR 27. This early emergence is because of its current far northern ecliptical latitude.

Venus is currently in apparent retrograde motion and will resume direct motion on APR 17. Its greatest brilliance for this apparition at magnitude -4.5 is expected around MAY 02. Its greatest western elongation of 45.9° is will occur on JUN 05, which will be near the time of dichotomy (50% illumination like a Half Moon). Before that time it will appear as a waxing crescent and afterward as a waxing gibbous. Its greatest altitude for Chicagoland observers at 30 minutes before sunrise will be 25.8° on AUG 05. It will then descend toward superior conjunction behind the Sun on 2010 JAN 11.

The Moon will occult Venus on APR 22. Venus will appear to pass 27 arcminutes north of Regulus on SEP 20. It will appear to pass 31 arcminutes south of Saturn on OCT 13.

I’ve created panoramic graphics to illustrate Venus’ position in the eastern sky 30 minutes before sunrise for both northern and southern hemisphere observers. The Moon is included. They can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos and descriptions of Venus during this apparition would be welcome additions to this thread.

[Buttercup]

Can't wait! :) I'm already missing her in the night-time sky; she's near to setting shortly after sunset.

The Moon will occult Venus on APR 22.

I've always wanted to see an occultation of Venus by the Moon (and The Pleiades too).

[Centaur]

Can't wait! :) I'm already missing her in the night-time sky; she's near to setting shortly after sunset.



I've always wanted to see an occultation of Venus by the Moon (and The Pleiades too).



Your ability to see the Venus occultation will depend on your location, Buttercup. I’ll present details and a graze map when we get closer to the event. We’re currently within a five-year window of Pleiades occultations. Again, each month your ability to view it depends on your location. The next one is due March 30.

[Buttercup]

Your ability to see the Venus occultation will depend on your location, Buttercup.

Yep. And usually it's the oh-so wrong location or, if viewable from my area, some ghastly hour like 1:54 a.m. Lol!

I’ll present details and a graze map when we get closer to the event. We’re currently within a five-year window of Pleiades occultations. Again, each month your ability to view it depends on your location. The next one is due March 30.

Terrific, and thanks. Hopefully the March 30 event will be visible from my area...and at some reasonable hour like 9:05 p.m. ;-P

[Centaur]

Yep. And usually it's the oh-so wrong location or, if viewable from my area, some ghastly hour like 1:54 a.m. Lol!



Terrific, and thanks. Hopefully the March 30 event will be visible from my area...and at some reasonable hour like 9:05 p.m. ;-P



Since I am still unaware of your location, Buttercup, my ability to advise you is rather limited. However, I have created a graze map for the Venus occultation. With it you can determine if you will be able to witness the morning event for North Americans. Here’s a link: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

[Buttercup]

Thank you, Centaur. I am close to Arizona, so this will work fine.