Jump to content

SkySurveyBanner.jpg.21855908fce40597655603b6c9af720d.jpg

Hello from Essex, UK

JAcqlO

By JAcqlO
in Welcome

Recommended Posts

JAcqlO

JAcqlO

Posted
Posted

Hello there, I'm new on here and totally new to "star gazing"! One of my sons (8 years old) and I have started watching out for the ISS this week and have then been looking around to see what else we can see and we want to know more! Have looked at some apps and charts to find a few constellations but that is as far we have got. Our first question is, when we are looking at the moon (around 9pm in Essex) what is the star to the bottom left (sorry haven't learnt about degrees etc yet!!)? We're going to join an Open Evening with a local group soon but we are desperate to know what it is. Thank you!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JamesM

JamesM

Posted
Posted

Hi and welcome to you (+ your son) to the forum.

Regarding the question of planetariums, I would recommend that you take a look at Stellarium which is free. It's popular among members here, easy to use with lots of great features to keep you occupied when the clouds come in. The 'star' you are referring to might in fact be Mars or if a little lower to the left might be Spica in the constellation of Virgo. If you download the above planetarium you will be able to see for yourself!  :grin:  :grin:

Clear skies and hope you enjoy the forum

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites
floppygoose

floppygoose

Posted
Posted

The star to the bottom left of the moon this week is probably no star, but the planet Mars. It is now at it's closest point to earth on their respective orbits, and won't be again for another two years. Jupiter is also visible as the brightest object in the night sky (apart from the moon) - Stellarium is a great free download app which will give you an idea as to what planets (amongst other things) are visible from your location.

Good luck

Phil

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ronin

ronin

Posted
Posted

If the star was red then Mars, if it was a bright white one star then Spica.

Besides the ISS there are also things (for want of a better term) called Iridium Flares.

Having taken a guess at a location for you, need a town to be better.

You could go stand outside tonight at 21:40, look ENE and up at about 60 degrees and at 21:45 there may be an Iridium Flare

Yes, you will be stood outside in the cold and the dark looking up at the sky, feeling like an idiot.

They only last 8-12 seconds and are caused by the sun reflecting off of the satellite vanes.

Trouble is a fairly accurate location is required as they dim in brightness depending on where you  are, and if I have guessed somewhere a distance from you they may not be visible at all.

There may be another at 22:50 if you look NNE but it is fairly low in the sky.

They are fun to spot and may interest your son a little.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hoppity

Hoppity

Posted
Posted

Hi and Welcome

The ISS is visible this evening rising from the WEST at 9:50pm, rising to a height of 42 degrees (quite high) it disappears approx 4 minutes later in SSE.  It appears as the 3rd brightest star in the sky, it comes towards you faster than it goes away from you.  It is VERY noticeable and everytime I see it coming towards me, my tummy churns, its AWESOME.  Go to NASA's site and goto SPOTTHESTATION, from there you can enter your town and country and receive a daily email informing you when the ISS is visible in the UK.  This information is from my email of today 16 April 2014.  Good clear skies at present so good luck.  Please let me know how you get along.  I am new too, I  have just said HELLO to everyone on the Welcome pages.  I talked to my grandchildren (11 yr old grandaughter and 6yr old grandson) the other evening and talked them through vewing the ISS as it passed, they were AMAZED and loved it!  It was good to share this moment with them.  In case you miss this message, I will send you tomorrows ISS details also.  Take a photo of it overhead on yor phone.  I did !!!  It's a start :-)   Happy spotting! xx

THIS LINK SHOULD TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO THE SPOT THE STATION PAGE AT NSA.

http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.