Mars, Saturn & Spica within 5º

Event Date: August 17th
Time: 8:30 PM


Brief

The Mars/Saturn/Spica configuration has changed slightly each day, although looking very triangle-ish at two different times: a little over a week ago, and for a few days this week. 
   Before going into separation values, let's look at a zoom-out and zoom in of them, with the second image putting them in a 7º field.  As I mentioned a few entries ago, this makes it hard to see the rings of Saturn when zoomed in just a small amount.  However, leave that for more powerful telescopes, and enjoy the triangle for now!

click on images to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Detailed

Mars' prograde motion, and of course that being much faster than Saturn, has had us see it pass between the other two: forming a small line with the them on the 13th and 14th (straighter as seen from the other side of the world during their evening hours).  Between now and the 20th, the triangle stays very near isosceles form, and close to equilateral on one or two evenings of the span.  The three fit this evening in a field of 5º, although using a 7 or 8º field is better for keeping them all easier to see and further from the circumference of the field.
   Mars is 3º 01' from Spica, and just 4 arc-minutes further from Saturn, at 3º 05'.  Meanwhile, Saturn and Spica are just slightly more than 4 1/2º apart; hence my original mention of the 5º field if one still decides to use that.  Binoculars can give this if powerful enough, although medium-power binoculars are ideal to get all three into the field.
   Tomorrow, the triangle is not quite as isosceles, so I will find something else to look at.  I will revist the triangle on the 21st: for that day, they have "company".  Can you figure out what??