Full Moon close to Jupiter

Event Date: November 28th

Time: 6:35.(54) PM

Brief

   We have had an interesting morning with Saturn and Venus in recent days.  Let us however, turn our attention back to the evening sky, with the just-past full Moon (cresting about 12 hours prior to above-time).  Right above the Moon, as seen from our location, is Jupiter, nearing opposition itself!  There is no need to label them below, as they are--along with Venus--the brightest bodies in our sub-horizon Sun skies.  Here they are when the Moon meets Jupiter with the same azimuth (75º 25.9') as the Moon moves from Jupiter's bottom right to its bottom left.  The two have their smallest separation shortly before rising, and their at the time of the same azimuth, they are just under 2º apart, as shown below.  The first image is a zoom-out, showing the ecliptic, Moon and Jupiter's orbits.

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

Detailed

   This is a fine pairing for the two bright solar system bodies, as they reflect so much Sunshine towards us.  When the Moon gets close enough to planets, especially if that planet is near the ecliptic, it means one other thing: the Moon must be close to one of its nodes with the ecliptic and therefore, an eclipse may not be far.  That is the case this time, as a penumbral eclipse of the Moon happens early this morning.  It will be hard to see the natural "filtering" of the Moon's light, looking about the same brightness to the eyes.  However, with a telescope, the shadow that the Earth puts on the Moon may become barely visible.  Let's put it this way: you will know that it is being shadowed, if you find that a filter to reduce the brightness isn't necessary!  Try using a medium magnification, between 50-70 magnification, to give such a test, and see if you notice a difference!