three planets and the Moon, all separated

Event Date: August 10th
Time: 5:45 AM


Brief

   We have an interesting line-up of solar system bodies this morning, with Mercury still part of the focus of it.  Starting with that planet closest to the horizon, Venus, Jupiter and the Moon are seen with different separations, looking up high.  Just as it did about a month ago, the Moon is closing in on Jupiter and will pass very closely to it.  As a result of Jupiter slightly changing in declination and the Moon's slight node precession since last month, the Moon and Jupiter will have a very impressive pairing; especially as seen from some other parts of the world when they see the two above the horizon after we do. 
      Here is the alignment of the bodies together, with no orbits showing.

Detailed

   As seen with the four lined up, we get an idea of how our planets--and sometimes the Moon--are all very close to the ecliptic plane.  Looking below, I included all four again with the ecliptic and celestial equator; the latter included to show the declination differences between them.  The Moon is seen north of the ecliptic although approaching descending node.  The planets are currently all viewed north of the ecliptic.  The change in ecliptic latitude varies, depending on how close--or far--we are from a planet in our own orbit.

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

   Since the Moon moves about an average of one diameter per hour, looking at it when high enough to see here, can help us predict almost the exact hour when it will be closest in separation to much slower-moving Jupiter.  Of course, the Moon is affected much more by our gravity, being our satellite, whereas Jupiter is pulled much more strongly by the Sun,