Americans frown upon, Ozzies get the smiley face from the Heavens

[Neil D]

Australians are getting a big hello from the heavens as Venus, Jupiter and a waxing crescent moon combine to create a celestial smiley face.

The best time to see the friendly phenomenon is about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset, report the News Corporation's Australian newspapers.

Local astronomers said that Venus and Jupiter had appeared side by side in the evening sky over the past week or so, but Monday night would be the best night to see the "face" appear.

Viewers in Western Australia have the best view, with the moon appearing closer to the "eyes" formed by the planets.

While the planets and moon appear to be close together, in reality they're not. The moon is 250,000 miles away, while Venus is 93 million miles away and Jupiter 540 million miles away.

Stargazers in Europe and Africa will miss out completely. By the time the sun sets for them the moon will appear between the planets, pushing the "mouth" between the "eyes" to create more of a Picasso-esque effect.

In the United States, the effect will be inverted and will appear as a frown.

[Nan]

See, told you Down Under is Right Way Up!

We heard this was to happen but it was cloudy in Sydney at the time. I gather the next such show will be in 2036

or thereabouts, so not holding my breath to see it. I hope that by then we are all viewing much more spectacular celestial happenings.