Clear night... but not stars?

[cloud9]

Well basically im a bit confused because here in Kent we've had a really sunny clear day (very cold though) and when the sun set this evening there were no clouds in the sky. I just looked out and like earlier there were seemingly no clouds in the sky but i couldnt see any stars. The Moon is perfectly clear but i cannot see Rigel for some reason and it should be right in my line of sight.

Ill have a look later when Sirius is up. Im just annoyed really because this afternoon i was confident of having a good night out with the stars and that all seems to have been ruined now

[SteveL]

check the satellite images, I think that might answer your questions...

http://www.sat24.com/frame.php?html=view&country=gb&sat=ir

[cloud9]

thanks very much. Looking on the website there seems to be a little bit of cloud but nothing that wouldn't stop me from seeing Rigel because i see it most nights when i have a peek out whether its bad weather or not.

edit: Its just started to rain here ffs. grrrr

[andypraktica]

As far as I can see it is 100% cloud cover where I am, so much so, that there are no cloud formations.

Very grim, not a good outlook for the weekend.

Andy

[Ben478]

Hi cloud9. I'm in Kent too and noticed the same thing last night - nice bright Moon but very little else, cloud cover not apparent but some definitely there, lol.

[cloud9]

Sat 24 and Met office both reckon i will have a clear night in Kent tonight. I hope so, the last time i saw a damn star must have been about 2 weeks ago now!!

[andypraktica]

It is looking more hopeful at the moment (6.00 PM). Is there any chance of spotting any Geminids this early on, bearing in mind we are over a week away from their main display?

[cloud9]

Not sure about the Geminids but im keeping my fingers crossed because the weather is super at the moment where i am. No doubt the cloud will roll in as i write this but its looking really good for the night at the moment.

[Brunty12345]

theres clear skies here with stars out, which is the first time in like... YEARS loool

[andypraktica]

A really good view again tonight at 11.00, with Orion right in front (slightly to the right of me), and Sirius dominating the sky. There is so much detail on the moon tonight, that I almost missed something else in the East. Is that Mars again around 7degs East above the Moon?

I will download Stellarium tomorrow (honest), because I really do not know what I am looking at now.

[cloud9]

yeah that would be mars. I also got some great views of mars just from my window! Shame its been raining hard all day

[andypraktica]

Solid cloud here, not very inspiring. The only plus, is that with the help of a few very patient (above and beyond the call of duty) people on here, I now have Stellarium installed.

The next step in the New Year is to try to buy a telescope.

Andy