Light pollution will not be a factor.

December 7, 2015 7:37 AM

Live in North America? Do you have binoculars or, at the very least, eyes? Well then, you might be able to see Venus during the day today. That is, until the jerk Moon gets in front of it.

Venus, being one of the brightest objects in the sky, is often visible during the day if you know where to look for it. When it's close to the Moon you can use the Moon as a reference, making our sister planet easy to find. Today is one such day.

But that's not all. Not only will The Moon be close to Venus, it will pass in front of it for viewers in North America.

From the link:

Virtually all of North America, Central America and the Caribbean will be in position to see the occultation of Venus on Monday, December 7.

Here are occultation times on December 7, for a few U.S. cities. Remember, Venus is disappearing behind the moon’s bright limb, and reappearing from its dark limb.

posted by bondcliff (38 comments total)

Oh neat! I was just noticing out my window this morning how close they were.
posted by nebulawindphone at 7:44 AM on December 7, 2015

For lazy clickers/scrollers that's 12:42-1:46 p.m. (EST). Neato!
posted by jessamyn at 7:49 AM on December 7, 2015

Venus was REALLY intense this morning. I was actually remarking on its intensity with my husband as he was leaving for work.
posted by The Juche Idea at 7:51 AM on December 7, 2015

Too late for us in NY. :(
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:51 AM on December 7, 2015

Just went out side. It's a beautiful clear day here. Spotted the crescent moon pretty quickly, and sure enough Venus is right there next to it in the broad daylight. My telescope is 20 miles to the south so I'm gonna miss being able to watch the occutation through it, but pretty damn cool, nonetheless.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:52 AM on December 7, 2015

Dammit, I've been looking forward to this since yesterday. It's been very clear the last few days. Right now? Nearly totally overcast. Pittsburgh is annoying. Hopefully it clears up in the next hour or so.
posted by dirigibleman at 8:01 AM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]

That damn moon can be such a dick sometimes.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 8:03 AM on December 7, 2015

Oh! There's also a comet just to the left of the moon that should be visible in telescopes and binoculars.
posted by dirigibleman at 8:04 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

Boo, cloud cover.
posted by asperity at 8:05 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

Oh, cool. I noticed this morning while waiting for my bus that there was a bright planet next to the Moon, but I wasn't 100% which one. Figured I could Google it when I got to the office, but as usual, MetaFilter has the answers.
posted by nubs at 8:06 AM on December 7, 2015

That damn moon can be such a dick sometimes.

I'll never forget the time it left me standing alone.
posted by randomkeystrike at 8:09 AM on December 7, 2015 [5 favorites]

The jerk moon, previously.
posted by zebra at 8:19 AM on December 7, 2015

That damn moon can be such a dick sometimes.

I'll never forget the time it left me standing alone.

It has also hit me in the eye.
posted by nubs at 8:22 AM on December 7, 2015 [6 favorites]

It also blew up my home world. Oh wait, that was no moon.
posted by The Bellman at 8:28 AM on December 7, 2015 [8 favorites]

Aaaand it's raining today. Ugh.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 8:29 AM on December 7, 2015

Cloudy in Louisville, though if I stare into my desk lamp I can make believe.
posted by SteveInMaine at 8:32 AM on December 7, 2015

Phil Plait live
posted by Artw at 8:32 AM on December 7, 2015

Our only choice is to destroy the Moon. That silver monster has been up there taunting us for ages. Enough is enough.
posted by Sangermaine at 8:34 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

(cloud cover may be a factor)
posted by Artw at 8:34 AM on December 7, 2015

So I'm outside looking up now. What's that blue thing, cigarette smoke?
posted by Drinky Die at 8:34 AM on December 7, 2015

Looks like I'm stuck looking at M0, the Great Cloud Nebula.
posted by eriko at 8:36 AM on December 7, 2015 [3 favorites]

I saw on a BBC documentary that the moon is actually a giant egg with an alien dinosaur baby inside.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:36 AM on December 7, 2015 [4 favorites]

Aaaand it's raining today. Ugh.

What is "rain"?

/in SoCal
posted by Hairy Lobster at 8:37 AM on December 7, 2015

The Pittsburgh sky is covered, so the occultation of Venus is occulted by clouds. Also, I learned a cool new word today.
posted by Turkey Glue at 8:53 AM on December 7, 2015

Saw Venus bright and low this morning before the sun rose. I'll look out for it again now that the rest of the sky is all lit up.
posted by carsonb at 8:54 AM on December 7, 2015

Venus was REALLY intense this morning. I was actually remarking on its intensity with my husband as he was leaving for work.

I am picturing a Leave it to Beaver breakfast scenario where your husband says "What's it like out there today?" and you say "Venus is really bright. Don't forget your hat dear".
posted by srboisvert at 8:56 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

I love that the word is "occultation." It's all mysterious and alchemical sounding.
posted by JDHarper at 9:13 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

My weather app says it's clear. My weather app is LIES!
posted by dirigibleman at 9:26 AM on December 7, 2015

Only partly cloudy here in southern Connecticut, but unfortunately the cloud is covering the wrong half of the sky.
posted by Johnny Assay at 9:31 AM on December 7, 2015

Well, since we're buried under clouds and water today in Oregon, there's not much of a chance. But I've done this before with a pair 10x binoculars. It was also the case of being close to Moon. Find the Moon and start moving in the right direction. Poof. Bright dot against blue sky.
posted by jgaiser at 9:32 AM on December 7, 2015

You dumb moon!
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:38 AM on December 7, 2015 [4 favorites]

I accidentally the conjunction this morning. Woke up at holymotherofgod:30 to realize that the cold breeze sucking all the heat from my body was coming from the kitchen window I'd left open last night. Went stumbling in there to close it and was greeted by a super-bright crescent and accompanying gorgeous planet. Well played, universe!
posted by Celsius1414 at 9:43 AM on December 7, 2015 [6 favorites]

I walked on your face LOL
posted by supermedusa at 10:00 AM on December 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

... and the cloud cover here is clearing just now, minutes after the occultation is over. Thanks, Obama.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:35 AM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]

Not only do I not have the stars at night, I don't have the horizon during the daytime. City living = too many buildings.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:08 AM on December 7, 2015

Oh! I saw Venus this morning, and wondered what it was, so bright and close to the moon. Thanks!
posted by needlegrrl at 11:09 AM on December 7, 2015

According to Stellarium the moon was at about a 10° declination around noon. I had assumed it was below the building line, but maybe it was just haze. How old to I have to live to be to see the next one? That old? Oh well.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:29 AM on December 7, 2015

Guys guys guys, I found out why we couldn't see it. Turns out The Moon is Not a Natural Planet, and One day humanity will have to go back in time 4.6 billion years to build Earth's Moon! Glad to have cleared this up for you.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:39 AM on December 7, 2015 [3 favorites]