Finding Jupiter

[Hightower]

I went outside tonight to a local dark spot, with the weather being quite clear. It was a little breezy which made it hard to get clear images on things.

Anyway, high in the sky to the south was a bright object - I thought this was Jupiter but I'm not sure sure. I think Jupiter should have been a little lower and further round to the west. But when I searched where I thought Jupiter should roughly be there was nothing that caught my eye.

So what was I looking at high in the sky? And where was Jupiter. I've never been to this place before so my bearings could be off - perhaps time to invest in a compass?!

[John]

Do you use the Stellarium freeware planetarium ?.

It's great for showing you what is in the sky at a particular time and where in the sky it should be.

[Nova]

Take a look on Stellarium

Stellarium

That does sound like Jupiter to me. The highest it gets is about 50 degrees for me on the south coast

Just dont forget to pop in your long and lat

[Hightower]

I use some software that came with my scope, which is real handy - but I was about 5 miles from home so had nothing but my scope. I've had a look on the software since getting back but I'm still none the wiser - I think I really had my bearings out of tilt.

There was so much in the sky tonight that I wanted to look at, but it was so hard with the slight breeze.

[Hightower]

Thanks for recommending that software - I've just installed it, checked it, turned the clock back to 8pm. I'm still a bit confused with which direction I must have been facing but while I was out, what I thought to be 3 of Jupiters moons were just above Jupiter to the top left - on the software the moons are in roughly the same place too so it must have been Jupiter I was looking at.

[Catweazel]

If it had 3 moons visible I would say that you were looking at Jupiter

[Wildwood]

It would have been Jupiter to the south, with Venus low to the West.

[Bondred]

I've just had a good look at Jupiter for an hour or so, cracking views tonight.

Easiest ways to explain it in laymans terms, is 1) it is the brightest thing in the sky after 1930 when Venus drops below, 2) find Orion and look to the right.

I have lost Jupiter now, it has gone behind some buildings, but it is still the brightest object in the sky at the moment.

[jaycee900]

Yeah i could see it walking home from work, and whilst im waiting for my scope to arrive i grabbed my binoculars and could make one moon out, m42 was clear too, thanks google sky, cant wait for my scope, hurry up flo!

[Gloris]

was probably jupiter, it also seemed a lil higher in the sky to me tonight than it has been. some brilliant views again tonight, despite the insane ammount of skyglow in my area

[Catweazel]

Mars has just come up on the horizon, nice and red and bright in the Eastern sky

[Rigel-7]

I must admit I use skyview on the iPhone for planets. It provides a search facility which shows you the path of the object and when it will be at a given point.

[Dave Collins]

Can any of you guys get detail on Mars. Looking through my SW 200p it looks like an orangey red dot but also shows white trailing as it moves. I've tried both the 10 and 25mm EPs but still not any detail showing.

[Nova]

No. Mars is a bit dissapointing for me. I think it is for a lot of people tbh

[Chris H]

Mars can be a tricky customer, have a look in the 'observing - planets' section of the forum there are a number of threads about Mars.

[Hightower]

I've just had a good look at Jupiter for an hour or so, cracking views tonight.

Easiest ways to explain it in laymans terms, is 1) it is the brightest thing in the sky after 1930 when Venus drops below, 2) find Orion and look to the right.

I have lost Jupiter now, it has gone behind some buildings, but it is still the brightest object in the sky at the moment.

Ha, when I got my scope out I looked at what I thought to be Venus first, sitting low in the sky at about 19:15. I could have swore I was facing south but obviously not. Then I moved the scope to look at Jupiter, and when I came back venus had gone so it's now obvious I had my bearings completely wrong (yet still identified what I was looking at!)

How do you guys deal with wind and such when outside?

[Nova]

depends how strong the wind is. We do a bit of observing from time to time on the seafront due to the nice dark skies looking out to sea. The wind can whip up a bit down there at times. A little wind is ok but can make what your looking at a bit jumpy obviously worsening the higher you push the magnification. The higher the wind the lower magnification I will stick too. Wind only becomes a real pain when im imaging a planet or the moon

[Hightower]

I think perhaps my mount/tripod is the cheapest around also so this probably won't help with stability. Oh well, I'm meeting some guys on Saturday from a local club so I'm sure I'll pick up tips and advice (and probably a long list of things to buy! Why, oh why, am I getting married this year - it's ruining my disposable income!)

[matthewota]

No. Mars is a bit dissapointing for me. I think it is for a lot of people tbh

Well, this particular apparition is not a good one. It will be quite some time before we get a good perehilic Mars Opposition

[Nova]

Oh yeh, say goodbye to that mate. Good luck at the weekend

[Dave Collins]

Thanks guys I'll check out the Planet forum threads. It looks like its not just me getting the poor views then. I'll have to take another look in the Turn Left At Orion book as it gives best viewing years for planets.