[ValleyNature] A galileo Moment Opportunity

[Sherman Williams]

A unique Galileo Moment.  Some keen sky observers may be interested  
in this event , especially if you have a good pair of Binoculars and/ 
or a small telescope, or better.  You may or may not think it's worth  
the early morning hour (about 4 a.m.).

The window of opportunity depends upon a clear eastern sky and is  
wedged between Jupiter and Neptune being high enough above the  
southeastern horizon and the brightening twilight still fairly dark.   
The dim light of Neptune is the limiting factor (magnitude 7.9).   
Under good conditions, Neptune can be seen in binoculars if one knows  
the reasonably detailed star pattern it is in.  Being less than 30'  
min. arc, one Moon diameter, from Jupiter  (about 24 minutes of arc),  
makes it easier to locate.  There is a chance that it may still be  
clear enough at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow May 27th) to make this observation.

Jupiter was making a similarly close alignment with Neptune in  
1612-1613 when Galileo  was tracking Jupiter's moons.  He did not  
realize that in some of his diagrams, he had recorded a planet whose  
existence had not yet been recognized.   It was to be another 234  
years (1864) before Neptune would be officially discovered.

I f the sky co-operates, here is a chance to log a super Galileo  
moment. <  http://www.astronomy2009.ca/  >

At my website I have placed more information and some finser diagrams.

My planet current location page
< http://web.mac.com/sherm39/iWeb/Site/planets_what_where.html  >

My main home page (unfortunately a bit slow for dialups)
<  http://web.mac.com/sherm39/iWeb/Site/home_page_nuv.html >

I'll report how I make out tomorrow morning. I'd love to know about  
any other successes.
Sherman
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