The other day, I posted about seeing the crescent moon over Crescent Street. After that, I had high hopes for seeing the astronomical event of the millenium: the near-conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the evening sky.
Although forecasters said we might not see it due to weather, I still had high hopes. After all, those same forecasters said the planets would be bright enough that they might be seen among city lights.
So I hopped onto Martie, my commuter, and pedaled toward the waterfront by the Socrates Sculpture Park, Rainey Park and Gantry Park (the Long Island City piers) and looked toward Manhattan--to the west, where the spectacle would be visible. I looked for "gaps"--mainly, streets that transverse the width of Manhattan--through which I sometimes watch sunsets.
Alas, all I saw were clouds and mist. I wonder whether I would've seen the planets in New Jersey or Connecticut.
As I understand, the next such planetary near-conjunction will take place in about 400 years. Maybe, just maybe, if I keep on riding my bike, I'll see it.;-
