After many days of gloom, the Sabbath sun shone fair across the land so that it was decided that the gardeners should spend the late afternoon at Sancreed Beacon in the hope of seeing the conjunction of Venus and Mercury in the western sky. The dusk was clear as the Moon rose over the bay, the only sound that of rooks,rising and circling their roost beside the church far below. We climbed to the summit for the best view but a very chilly easterly made it too uncomfortable to stay long and we soon scuttled back down out of the wind. The sky slowly turned golden in the west, while behind us,the bay shimmered in pink and blue stillness. Jupiter rose below the moon, huge and sparkling but still no Venus...
The Sun had set and we should have been able to see her but the twilight was just too bright. By now the temperature had dropped and we were freezing. Reluctantly we decided to make our way home as by the time Venus was visible, Mercury would be long gone. There aren't many days left to see this rare event -on November 10 - 11th, Venus, Mercury and Antares will be closest together, about 30 minutes after sunset . If you have a clear western horizon, look out for them - this won't be visible again in any of our lifetimes. Regretfully but glad to get in the warm car we trundled home through the now dark country lanes.
By the time we arrived home Venus was twinkling beautifully - we could see her through the kitchen window ! The UK weather forecast isn't too good, but if you get a chance - pop out for a look at the heavens - we have the Taurus Full Moon on Thursday evening, Jupiter will be close behind her. Mars is visible now in the Eastern sky towards morning and the winter constellations are breathtakingly beautiful! 
And it was surely worth it for those beautiful pictures, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat an evocative, if chilly, adventure you conjure, dear Morvah!
xxx
It was lovely at Sancreed and well deserved after the hard work chopping back in our garden. Love Steve X
ReplyDeleteAlice, it certainly was worth the first freezing feet of the winter! My Father and I had a 'less than harmonious' relationship but I'm eternally grateful for his gift of love of the night sky which we shared. As a small girl I learned to recognise the constellations, planets and various celestial events which he had somehow taught himself. No telescopes, binoculars or TV in those days - it was a very simple and beautiful love.... M x
ReplyDeleteSweetheart, it's always a pleasure to be questing with you xxx
Wonderful photos and a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see you back, I missed you. :-) x
Thank you Susannah - odd Neptune business in the third - nice to be back!
ReplyDeleteYour writing is so beautiful. My Taurus swoons:)
ReplyDeleteWell thank you Miss Kashmiri ~ 'tis only a pity I'm too lazy to do more!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Well as long as you are happy with your volume, that's what counts!
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