In a few days Saturn will be closest to Porrima (Gamma Virginis) and will be just at a 0?15' distance. Here's a photograph picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/discernpho ... 757464186/

Although I have no astrological comment I'd like like to mention this event for it has been a very nice view to see the planet approaching the star the last few weeks. There won't be an ecliptical conjunction (nor equatorial) but it's very close.

Anyone with normal eyesight will be able to see the two points apart, with Saturn as the brighter one on the East side, just when it's dark direction south-west. Have a look and enjoy the sight.

Did you take these photos Eddy?

On the subject of Saturn conjunct fixed stars I thought it would be an interesting exercise to look at world developments when Saturn closely conjoins Spica (around 24 Libra). I will have a look to see when Saturn gets closest in terms of latitude north/south of the ecliptic.

Mark

Konrad wrote:Did you take these photos Eddy?

Unfortunately not. It was on top of the list when I googled for the conjunction. I could only dream of living in a place where it's dark enough not to suffer light-pollution. The Netherlands being one of the most light-polluted areas in the world, is not the place to be in this respect. However, more to the East and/or North in the Netherlands, making such a picture might be possible.

Here are light pollution maps, http://www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages/fig1.htm The red spots on the Continent just North-East of the also red London area is the region where I live .

Mark wrote:On the subject of Saturn conjunct fixed stars I thought it would be an interesting exercise to look at world developments when Saturn closely conjoins Spica (around 24 Libra). I will have a look to see when Saturn gets closest in terms of latitude north/south of the ecliptic.

Although the conjunction with Spica is defenitely more interesting from astrological tradition point of view, the conjunction won't be as spectacular as this one. Porrima has latitude +2?47', and Spica has latitude -2?03' http://www.constellationsofwords.com/st ... itudes.htm . With the longitude of Saturn's ascending node at ca. 23? Cancer, the highest point of Saturn above the ecliptic will be around 23? Libra. Thus as good as the same period of conjunction with Spica. The closest distance won't be some 4?. With Porrima's latitude and Saturn's orbit's inclination of ca. 2.5? and being close to highest, this close encounter is explained.

Thanks Eddy,

I just thought it would be interesting astrologically. Saturn as the greater malefic but at its most dignified exalted in Libra. Spica is unambiguously the most benefic star in the heavens according to ancient astrological lore.

Saturn has associations traditionally with the underclass and poor so I thought it might tie into political developments in the middle east.

On the other hand with Jupiter having moved into Taurus the two traditional 'outer planets' are now in aversion to each and dont form a Ptolemaic aspect to each other.

I haven't checked previous fixed star conjunctions for what occured at those times. Might be interesting to research.

Mark

Eddy wrote:Unfortunately not. It was on top of the list when I googled for the conjunction. I could only dream of living in a place where it's dark enough not to suffer light-pollution. The Netherlands being one of the most light-polluted areas in the world, is not the place to be in this respect. However, more to the East and/or North in the Netherlands, making such a picture might be possible.

Here are light pollution maps, http://www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages/fig1.htm The red spots on the Continent just North-East of the also red London area is the region where I live .

I thought so. I saw your location and wondered where in teh Netherland you would get such a view. My girlfriend is from the Netherlands, and any time I have been there it has been difficult to see much in the sky.

Mark, I'm not sure if you use them but In 1982 the Saturn Spica conjunction was joined with Pluto which in its turn was in that neverending sextile with Neptune. Perhaps the kick off of Reaganism.

Konrad, here I can see the conjunction but not that number of stars. However the exposure of the picture must have been several minutes (that's why the trees are not sharp) so many more stars are seen by light-collection on the film. Below just above the middle big tree top the constellation Corvus (Raven) can be seen and on top there's this asterisme a part of the tresses of Coma Berenice (Berenice's Hair)