Astronomy question

[Tricky Dicky]

Just curious, for the last couple of weeks as I walk to the station in the morning around 6ish, there is very, very bright object in the sky, roughly South-East. Far too bright to be a star, so it obviously a planet. Having checked the sky maps on ...

http://www.astronomy.co.uk/skyview

and it's clearly either Saturn or Jupiter. I didn't think Saturn ever gets that bright. However, the maps show Saturn to be roughly the right ascension, but due South, whilst Jove is the right direction but should be much lower in the sky - so which is it ?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

And I thought you knew everything Ed !

 

[Kazenga <3]

No, its Graham Norton.

 

[Marc]

Jupiter, I've searched my loft for my old telescope but cant find the bloody thing, really want a closer look!

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Jupiter, I've searched my loft for my old telescope but cant find the bloody thing, really want a closer look!

Thanks, I thought it probably was - I'm sure Saturn doesn't get that bright, and this thing is really very bright - you can't miss it. I would love to get a decent telescope - not sure whereabouts in Shoreham you are, but down here in Buckingham Road, there's just too much light around to get a decent view. Maybe when the councol runs out of money they'll have to turn off all the street lights and it'll be worth it.

 

[Dr Q]

If you have an iPhone a good app is the Pocket Universe app. Basically you point your phone at the area of the sky you want to check and it will give you a map and names of the stars/planets you should be able to see.

 

[Mackenzie]

I've been watching that for the last couple of weeks wondering what planet it was. Its really 'twinkly' isn't it

 

[Tricky Dicky]

If you have an iPhone a good app is the Pocket Universe app. Basically you point your phone at the area of the sky you want to check and it will give you a map and names of the stars/planets you should be able to see.

Yup, got it on my Desire, forgot about it - will give it a go tomorrow and see how accurate it is.

 

[NMH]

the moon, maybe?

 

[Marc]

Thanks, I thought it probably was - I'm sure Saturn doesn't get that bright, and this thing is really very bright - you can't miss it. I would love to get a decent telescope - not sure whereabouts in Shoreham you are, but down here in Buckingham Road, there's just too much light around to get a decent view. Maybe when the councol runs out of money they'll have to turn off all the street lights and it'll be worth it.

i'm up by the Tesco roundabout so same problem with light here, anywhere north of the downs is good though

I've got Google Sky Map for my android phone

 

[Stewart96]

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

no its your mum lololololol

 

[Billy the Fish]

I've got Google Sky Map for my android phone

I've got that, it's a cracking app.

Jupiter's been really bright for the last couple of months

 

[saslowi]

If you are seeing it in the morning it is probably Venus. Jupiter appears in the evening but sets about midnight.

http://astronomycentral.co.uk/planets-to-see-in-the-sky-tonight

 

[Beach Hut]

Fool, it is a Pink Floyd song Astronomy Domain

 

[Hunting 784561]

"Go and praise someone else's brat. We were led by a star.

Led by a bottle, more like. Go on, get out !"

Well - it is that time of year

 

[Tricky Dicky]

If you are seeing it in the morning it is probably Venus. Jupiter appears in the evening but sets about midnight.

http://astronomycentral.co.uk/planets-to-see-in-the-sky-tonight

Now I'm confued again, that site says Jupiter should be set, the other link I posted says it should be up.

 

[saslowi]

Could be Saturn which is around at the same time as Venus but not as bright. Check it out with a telescope for rings.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

I second the praises of Google Sky Maps on Android. Tis an incredible little app, all for nowt as well

 

[Norman Potting]

This is also worth downloading - Stellarium. It is free and you can configure it to your location. Don't know if it works on one of these new fangled all singing and dancing phone things as mine just makes and receives calls. Mind you it only cost a tenner.