jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

These two planets will be so close that they will appear as one. Of course, by "close," it's just a matter of positioning and an optical illusion. This will be a good chance to get some unusual pictures. Or, you can wait 800 years for them to get close again.

Say Cheese Loc: Eastern PA

OK I'll ask, Where should we look in the sky? Where should we point our lens?

saparoo Loc: Atlanta, GA

I'm in Georgia and I read December 21st, 45 minutes after sunset, SW sky. Don't know if I will be able to see it or take any pictures because I'm having a total knee replacement on the 17th. Maybe someone will capture it and add it on UHH and I can see it then. Best of luck!!!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

These planets do not move rapidly. They are not far from their December 21st positions right now. They are also two of the brightest objects in the night sky. So go outside tonight (or the next night with no clouds) and take a look in the southern part of the sky after its gotten dark. Even if the moon has come up, you should have no problem finding them.

Their closest approach will have them separated by a distance equal to about 1/5 the diameter of the moon, so there will still be visible space between them at their closest approach.

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

There is a free download called 'Stellarium'..perfect for locating any stellar body.

User ID

Okay. So 1000mm on a m4/3 would be about right. IIRC, I saw one in the back of the closet last time I dove that deep. Each planet would then be represented by about 9 pixels.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

My personal thought is this is going to make a much more interesting skyscape either a while before or a while after the day of least separation. These planets are enough brighter than the surrounding stars that they will be clearly identifiable in any competent image. I do not know that they are going to be close enough to produce a "family portrait" in a single telescope image with enough magnification to reveal meaningful surface detail. Personally, I'm just going to wait and see if the Hubble Space Telescope is able to produce anything interesting.

If the clouds clear long enough for me to take a closer look and see how and where everything is situated, I may make a different determination around doing something. Those with different equipment than I have will likely also make a choice that is different from mine.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Good luck with the surgery. Get well soon.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

They will probably have you out of bed by then - with a hop, skip and a jump you should make it to a window.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I'm busy this week, I'll come back in my next life and get it.

Naptown Gaijin

Go to skyviewcafe.com for details.

I live in Annapolis, and from this point on earth, you want to look in a WSW direction. Both planets will be visible from late afternoon until 1930 hrs EST or so. They will appear to be descending toward the horizon, and will be below the horizon before 2000 hrs, depending where you are in the USA. Best time for Maryland is 1800-1900 hrs. You will need a clear view of the horizon, so go to an open area.

The above info will change depending on your location, which you must input into the webpage, along with time and date. Simple to use.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I have a 500mm mirror lens and a 150-600mm zoom lens, terrific tripod and a support bracket for my long zoom lens. I’m not sure which will be best or should my 28 -135mm be good for this night sky?

BrianFF

I'm sure Alan Dyer will have some great pictures at https://amazingsky.net/ as well as his usual tips for photographing astronomical events.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I have a 150-600 zoom lens as well, and would like to know how well that lens would work myself.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I'm having a total knee replacement on the 17th..." First and foremost thank you for your service and deciation in the healthcare field for 30+ years... it is truly appreciated saparoo. With this career background I'm certain you are keenly aware that blood clots are likely the most significant risks of knee replacement surgery.

A.K.A. If surgery damages a blood vessel or most importantly if you remain immobile for several days after the procedure, venous blood flow can dramatically slow in the leg, and a blood clot may form. A blood clot in one of the deep veins in the legs is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

However if it moves up to your lung it becomes what is know as a Pulmonary Embolism which is a very serious complication (can be fatal). You'll be on anti-coagulants such as Apixaban or Warfarin following your procedure. You may also be put on anti-platelet intervention (Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor). Please do not discontinue these medications without discussing the ramifications very carefully with your healthcare provider(s).

So yes you may encouraged to be up and moving about soon after your procedure... And the good news is that currently knee-replacement is up to 85-90% successful (lasting 15 years without another procedure).

Thinking your involvement with tennis may have been a causative agent for this procedure... Just a guess based on many other tennis partners I played with over the years... Seems that knee-replacements are over represented in this group...

Wishing you all the best with the procedure and a very successful outcome!
Hoping Jupiter and Saturn align perfectly in your favor...