sammy1404 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starstalker Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 yeah probably an iridium flare or a meteor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammy1404 Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 Damn oh well I saw something, haven't even seen a star for about 4 weeks lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FraserClarke Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypernova Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammy1404 Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starstalker Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Damn oh well I saw something, haven't even seen a star for about 4 weeks lolCount 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_h Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Rubbish here - but there is a hole in the cloud heading this way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burf2000 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I wish the sky would clear in the south east! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_h Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Clear as a bell here - been out for 3 hours now(just nipped in for a cuppa) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froobyone Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 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.RegardsFrooby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Saturn Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Clear skies here tonight too, and predicted to be clear tomorrow! But then Friday the cloud is supposed to be returning, with snow. Nooo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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