I'm no stargazer but what's that in the sky tonight? (not aurora!)

[emma1988]

Hi,

I've just signed up because i've just seen a spectacular sight and can't help but wonder what it is!

About 20 minutes ago i was outside when the biggest and best shooting star i have seen in my life shot over from east to west.

Where i lost it i noticed two extremely large stars (in the west of the sky)... i look at the stars a lot as although i am no stargazer, i know a few constellations and like to point them out to my 6 year old... and i am really confused as to what they are?? The lower of the two is really huge and glowing bright whiteish orange.

I am just wondering if anyone else can see the same thing!

N.B definately NOT aeroplanes, lanterns, helicopter etc as i was looking at it for about 10 minutes and it didn't move.

Any ideas?

[dtr42]

venus [lower ] jupiter higher and mercury just at sunset below venus if your lucky

[dtr42]

ps download stellarium Stellarium it will show you what is viewable in your location

[dark knight]

The 2 large stars are not stars at all, they are planets, the lower one is Venus and the slightly higher one is Jupiter. Will check to see if the bright shooting star was in fact the International Space Station,

[emma1988]

really! Wow, how comes they are so visible? Something to do with the time of the year??

[nathanhatton]

yes jupiter and venus, venus is the brightest and its a rare sight seeing the two together

[dtr42]

pps welcome to sgl it's excellent for astronomy questions as all the people on the forum are very friendly and helpful [and a lot of them know what theyre talking about:)]

[emma1988]

Well, i can't thank you all enough for your fast and knowledgeable responses! I am definately going to download stellarium now. And thank you for the warm welcome dtr!

[dtr42]

you should get youself a pair of binoculars and get your kid intrested [6year olds love the sky and it will give them and you a lifetime of enjoyment ]10x50 bino's are good and realitivly cheap £40-£50 for a half decent pair

[Jon Sales]

Welcome to SGL Emma

Some decent scopes are available with a computer GoTo mount. Simply select what you want to see and the telescope well slew to it.

Check out a few websites then come back here for advice

[dark knight]

Also keep an eye out for local meetings where astronomers get together, they are great for meeting folks and most are only too happy to let you look through their telescopes and show you and youngster the night sky.

[sanmatt]

Welcome Emma, hope you stay! Get some binos as suggested and wrap up warm, and enjoy the sky

Sandra