Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 7:30PM

Public Event at the ACA Observatory

Planet Parade

Mars is less than ½ degree from M95 & M96, shining at mag -1.2 covering 14" of arc. Jupiter and Venus continue their spectacular display just 2 days past conjunction*.

Cancellation, for any reason, will be announced here
Please check back prior to the event before heading out



This event

*Note: Date & time of two planets being at "conjunction" are figured two different ways...
1) When they appear to be closest together.  This will occur on:
3/13/2012 at 6:18pm EDT
Venus RA: 2h 24m 34.7s
Jupiter RA: 2h 29m 36.1s
apparent separation: 2.998°
.
and
.
2) When they have identical RA (Right Ascension).  This will occur on:
3/15/2012 at 6:38am EDT
Venus RA:  2h 30m 47.3s
Jupiter RA: 2h 30m 47.3s
apparent separation: 3.27°
.
Most Websites on the Internet list the conjunction by using the second method.  However the date and time when Jupiter and Venus will appear closest together is actually two days prior to that date!

Be sure to hit the REFRESH / RELOAD button on your browser
(or the <F5> key on your keyboard) for up-to-date information

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