Moon, Jupiter put on a sky show

WA stargazers were buzzing last night when a meeting of Jupiter and the Moon - called a conjunction - amazed sky watchers around the world.

Perth was blessed with a clear sky, providing ideal conditions for observers. The waxing gibbous Moon and Jupiter - the two brightest objects in last night's sky - appeared to be almost touching for part of the night before the Moon crept below and past the gas giant, continuing on in its orbit.

The "occultation" - when the Moon passes in front of a star - of Jupiter by the Moon last took place in 2005. As the eight-day-old gibbous Moon's dark edge moved closer to Jupiter and its moons, it disappeared and reappeared from the bright edge.

Sky watchers from Perth posted pictures on Twitter, showing great views of the Moon and Jupiter taken with cameras and iPhones.

WA's Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley tweeted: "Clear sky allows marvellous view of Jupiter moving behind Moon, revealed even with my hand camera."

The event has happened in the northern hemisphere for the past four months but last night was the first glimpse for the southern hemisphere.