Venus close with Theta Virginis

Event Date: November 12th

Time: 5:15 AM

Brief

   Yesterday, I tried to build up anticipation for a close encounter between Venus and 4th magnitude [star] Theta Virginis.  How close? 7 arc-minutes...not too "shabby".  Keep in mind that the star will not be seen with the eye alone, even if not occulted by Venus; as mentioned when near Regulus back in early October. Venus' brightness gives off a glare that can make dim stars as far as half a degree away, hard to see.  Therefore, I will only show two zoom-in's of the pair.

The first is a 2º field, while the next is a 1/4º.  This gives us magnifications of approximately 25 and 200x respectively.  The latter magnification is about maximum ideal for a 4" telescope.  With the second image, notice how the star is a double, being split.

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

Detailed

   Look for them as soon as visible above the horizon, and once atmospheric pollution doesn't completely block out the star's view; this means having a horizon for which obstruction doesn't interfere 10º or higher.  Since the peak of the encounter doesn't happen until shortly after Sunrise anyway, it is most important to catch the pair while Theta Virginis is still visible.  Through most amateur telescopes, it will not be visible about 30 minutes after Sunrise under the clearest of conditions and the best eye pieces.

   It is important to remember that even if you don't catch the pair at their peak-encounter at 2', they will appear close to the same while still dark enough, with most portable telescopes.  Therefore, as long as you are not too fussy, you will still see a great meeting of the two.  If you want to catch them at the peak, view from Hawaii, which is 2 hours behind us in time zone at this time of year.  By then, it will still be dark enough to see both, yet a clear, unobstucted horizon is still necessary.