Skies are clearing!

[sammy1404]

Finally all this damned cloud is slowly going. I've got pretty good seeing (first time ive used that word so far woo!) here but my telescope hasn't arrived yet. As a beginner I've probably mistaken what I can see but I think I can see Jupiter, saw the constellation of Cassiopeia and I'm not sure but I think I may have seen a supernova. Probably going to sound stupid now but I was looking for constellations then below I saw a very quick flash of apparent white light. Lasted about 1 second and was the brightest thing in the sky. Was due north at an elevation from the horizion about 30 degrees. I may have just imagined it but I highly doubt it. So could it have been my first supernova sighting?

[LukeSkywatcher]

It was more likely a meteor or even a satellite "flare". This happens when a passing satellite is hit with light from the sun and the sunlight reflects off of a metallic surface on the satellite.

[Earl]

most supernova are not visual and in distant galaxys.

its clearing here, and if its still so when i have sorted the kids out for bed i might just get the scope out !

[starstalker]

yeah probably an iridium flare or a meteor

[sammy1404]

Damn oh well I saw something, haven't even seen a star for about 4 weeks lol

[FraserClarke]

Supernova take many days/weeks to brighten, and there hasn't been a 'naked eye' supernova for several hundred years

Satellite or meteor as Paul said...

Keep looking up

[Hypernova]

The skies are currently clear here, well mostly, and I have just been out with the in the last hour to image the ISS. There is a fair amount of wispy cloud about at the moment but nothing too much so I should be able to get out later and do a little bit of deep sky.

[Doc]

What scope have you ordered? As for the flash of light you saw I can be 1000% sure it ws not a supernova, these are extremely hard to see and take place in remote galaxies so a large scope is required.

Let us know how your first night turns out when your scope finally arrives.

[sammy1404]

ordered the skywatcher skyliner 250px dob and yeah I'll be doing a review on it I.e the actual scope and then a first viewing review.

I feel kind of stupid now lol but then I guess better to be curious than not at all.

[Doc]

You have picked a great scope. Believe when I say once you have mastered the skies that scope will show you almost any object if you are under dark skies.

[starstalker]

ordered the skywatcher skyliner 250px dob and yeah I'll be doing a review on it I.e the actual scope and then a first viewing review.

I feel kind of stupid now lol but then I guess better to be curious than not at all.

hey theres no stupid questions just stupid answers,never be afraid to ask on here no matter how "stupid" u may think it is!

[LukeSkywatcher]

Damn oh well I saw something, haven't even seen a star for about 4 weeks lol

Count yourself lucky. If it was a flare and you had not planned to observe it and saw it purly by chance...........thats quite rare.

Most people who see them plan to observe them at the given time that they pass over.

I've seen 3 purely by chance. Maybe 2 of them were the same one because they happened within seconds of each other.

If i had planned to see them i'm sure i'd have missed them.

[Earl]

It went cloudy now its clear.

Cuppa tea and ill start to get set up.

Anyone want to take odds on it going cloudy before im finished the setup?

[Earl]

Well IR satellite says im wasting my time, as there is plenty of cloud from the South East on its way, looks clear though in about 4 hours.

[martin_h]

Rubbish here - but there is a hole in the cloud heading this way!

[LukeSkywatcher]

Nice and clear here. I might just venture out into the COLD a bit later. I'm too warm now to even think about going out,LOL.

[burf2000]

I wish the sky would clear in the south east!

[martin_h]

Clear as a bell here - been out for 3 hours now(just nipped in for a cuppa)

[Froobyone]

Thanks to this thread I checked my own skies and found them cloud free for a couple of hours.

Thank you. I'd have missed that.

Regards

Frooby

[Lady Saturn]

Clear skies here tonight too, and predicted to be clear tomorrow! But then Friday the cloud is supposed to be returning, with snow. Nooo.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Clear skies here tonight too, and predicted to be clear tomorrow! But then Friday the cloud is supposed to be returning, with snow. Nooo.

I have an identical forecast here.