Antares

[Walshie79]

Does anyone else think it seems unusually bright at the moment? The other day as it got dark (2215 BST) I was surprised to notice it when Arcturus and Vega were the only other two stars out (couldn't see Altair or Deneb), and I've just had another good look now. It is clearly appearing brighter than Altair, despite being much lower, and doesn't seem much fainter than Vega. 

I believe it is an irregular variable, but the range I've seen given is 0.8-1.2 or thereabouts. Altair is 0.77. If I had to estimate Antares now I'd say about 0.2-0.4. What do others think?

[ghostdance]

No idea of the mag. rating, but it has been very bright & sparkly from here (the orange skies of northeast London) since I started getting serious (ish) about finding my way about the attic this year...very nice mutlicolour sparkles.  A bit low down tho  as I use the scope from the bottom of a well it seems (low back 'garden' hemmed in by open clusters of chimneys) and lots of orange to get through!

[spaceboy]

May be the atmosphere magnifying it ??? I noticed several stars along the horizon the other evening and was surprised how bright they were despite how light it was out.

[Daniel-K]

its probably just excellent conditions that's making it look brighter, good haul of objects to go for around there aswell

[timwetherell]

I'm down in Australia at the moment and Antares is close to zenith - doesn't look remarkably different to usual to me so perhaps it is an atmospheric effect?

all the best

Tim

[alan potts]

I don't have the luxury of Tim seeing it almost overhead though it is a bit higher here than in England, I have also been viewing it every night out as I am after the double again. I can't say it looks much different to me but it is variable but not by a massive amount.

Alan.