Trying To Find The Name Of A Star....

[StarChild]

Hi!

I am a complete beginner when it comes to astronomy and star gazing so forgive me!

Im not sure if anyone can help or point me in the right direction, but basically, the last few weeks ive been able to see a star in the sky which is very bright and looks gold. It is to the left of Orion and slightly higher up. I keep seeing this star as it is so bright and looks so gold! I would really like to know its name.

I know im being rather vague but any ideas would be much appreciated

Thank you x

[GazOC]

From your description I think it might be the planet Mars.

[StarChild]

A friend said that too, but i wasnt sure! Thanks

[phattanglo]

If you have a PC there is a free download called Stellarium which is really helpful for identifying objects.

[David Galvin]

Have a look at the image produced by Kevin (BeyondVision) as It shows the region of sky that you are referring to. Orion to the right with Taurus and the Pleiades above. You can see Mars and Prasepe (the Beehive Cluster) to the far left.

[brantuk]

Stellarium is a great download for locating objects as folk say. I also use skyviewcafe for very quick reference. Also totally free it gives a great idea of magnitude and has one or two other very interesting features (moon phases, orbits, annual insolation, earth shadow, etc).

Have fun

[coxie]

could be beetlegeuse the red giant?