CROSS your fingers for clear skies this coming weekend because there will be a meeting of worlds for us to enjoy, writes STUART ATKINSON.

Over the weekend, between Friday night and the wee small hours of Monday morning, the Moon's path across the sky will take it towards, above and then past the planet Jupiter. Don't panic, this isn't like that classic old sci-fi film When Worlds Collide; the two worlds aren't really getting anywhere near each other physically, it's just a line of sight effect for us here in Earth.

On Friday night look to the south east after sunset and you'll see the Moon shining to the upper right of Jupiter, which will look like a bright, blue-white star. They'll be a respectable distance apart, but will still be an attractive sight. On Saturday night the Moon will be directly above Jupiter, barely a couple of Moon-widths away from it, and that's when they'll be a really striking pair in the sky, both easily fitting into the same field of view through a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.

As darkness falls on Sunday evening you’ll see the Moon has moved eastwards and will be shining to the lower left of Jupiter.

This isn’t an important celestial event, it’s just something attractive to see ‘up there,’ so look out for this lunar fly-past this coming weekend.

Meanwhile, Eddington Astronomical Society of Kendal will be holding another Moon Watch on Friday, May 5, at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre, from 8pm.

Join us!

Stuart Atkinson

Eddington Astronomical Society of Kendal