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Dec 29, 2008

New Years Eve '08 and Venus casting shadows

Space Weather News for Dec 29, 2008


NEW YEAR'S EVE: What a way to end the year. On Dec 31, Venus and the slender Crescent Moon will gather together high in the southwestern sky for a beautiful conjunction visible for hours after sunset. The two brightest objects in the night sky can be seen through city lights and even fireworks--so everyone can enjoy the show.

Meanwhile, closer to the horizon, Mercury and Jupiter are converging for their own Dec 31 conjunction. This one is not so easy to see, but rewarding for those who make the effort to find the two planets shining through the rosy glow of sunset.

Visit SpaceWeather.com for sky maps and photos of the converging planets.

BONUS: Is Venus really bright enough to cast shadows? The answer is yes, and the proof may be found on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.

A French photographer has captured rare images of Venus casting a shadow and he has even made a movie of the shadow in motion.

New subscribers: To sign up for free space weather alerts, click here.

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Dec 31, 2008 astrologically: Moon and Venus conjoin near the end of Aquarius (conjunct US natal Moon creating happy feelings - in fact, America's Lunar Return is at 1:53 pm est, Washington, Dec 31, 2008) while Mercury and Jupiter will hook up in the last two degrees of Capricorn, tropically speaking, with quick Mercury hurrying on its way to 00AQ47 Rx in time for Inauguration 2009 and its meeting with the Sun.

Some Mercury Notes for Jan-Feb 2009:

Mercury will perform a Retrograde Station 7AQ45 on Jan 11, and a Direct Station 21Cap45 on Feb 1, leaving its shadow - the planet's previously traveled degrees during this go-round or yearly orbit - on Feb 21, 2009. Plans may move forward more slickly after Feb 21 or so.

The archetypal Mercury in myth is male or female...the eternal youth - boy or girl...hence the 'its' for Mr. Quicksilver.

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