How bright are Venus and Jupiter?

[Nancy D]

Can you guys tell me the magnitude of Venus and Jupiter at this time? I'm attending a star party for a homeschool group, and I want to be able to tell them how bright those planets are as an example.

[Nancy D]

Oops, I'm sorry if this post is inappropriate. I wasn't thinking. This forum is to discuss the APOD's! Apologies.

[Case]

the magnitude of Venus and Jupiter at this time

Per November 20, 2008:
Mercury -0.23 mag
Venus -3.97 mag
Mars 1.87 mag
Jupiter -1.62 mag (slightly brighter than Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky at -1.47 mag.)
Saturn 1.23 mag
Uranus 5.99 mag
Neptune 7.92 mag
Pluto 14.89 mag

These days, Venus sets before the Sun, and is close to it, so she won't be visible.
(Source: Stellarium)

[apodman]

Pluto 14.89 mag

Hang in there, Pluto!

[BMAONE23]

the magnitude of Venus and Jupiter at this time

Per November 20, 2008:
Mercury -0.23 mag
Venus -3.97 mag
Mars 1.87 mag
Jupiter -1.62 mag (slightly brighter than Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky at -1.47 mag.)
Saturn 1.23 mag
Uranus 5.99 mag
Neptune 7.92 mag
Pluto 14.89 mag

These days, Venus sets before the Sun, and is close to it, so she won't be visible.
(Source: Stellarium)

Stellarium might be incorrect then because Venus is very visible after sunset and doesn't set until well after the sun. Mercury and Mars are both passing behind the sun at the moment (and are visible in current SOHO images)
Venus is at the (teapot lid) top of sagittarius at the moment

[apodman]

... Venus is very visible after sunset and doesn't set until well after the sun. Mercury and Mars are both passing behind the sun at the moment ... Venus is at the (teapot lid) top of Sagittarius at the moment

That agrees with this chart:

http://www.mkas.org.uk/planetfinder.htm

Click "+hints" for a few constellation outlines to go with the planets.

Of course the planets will move and the chart will change, but it's good today (2008 Nov 20).

[Nancy D]

Watch Jupiter and Venus get closer together and meet up with the crescent moon on December 1. Here's a link that was on Spaceweather.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008 ... 1dec08.gif

[BMAONE23]

If you can spot the crescent moon during the day time Dec 1 you should also be able to see Venus making another daytime appearance

[Case]

Stellarium might be incorrect then because Venus is very visible after sunset and doesn't set until well after the sun.

Mea culpa. I must have messed up something, because the program shows a scenery like your description when I tried it today. (Outside is just rain and clouds, otherwise I would have known and seen where Venus is.)