Bright New Star In The Sky

Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:09 pm » by **Mob 2,0**

Having heard the rumors of a bright star in the morning sky here in Central California, I got up early this morning to explore what should be the planet Venus for myself. I have been watching Jupiter in the evening sky which has also been abnormally bright, enough so that I had to break out my old telescope.

So This morning, I took my $99 telescope to the street in front of my house. Not the best area for star watching, but this thing was so bright there was no need to find a darker place. The view of the moon next to this bright star was ominous. The star was so bright that it could easily take your attention away from the moon. The moon was illuminated from the eastern side making for a beautiful half moon. Theoretically, Venus should also be illuminated on only one side as well but was not.

Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:26 pm » by **Richc**

Hi mate.

Have you got sheep bollocks hanging from your tripod.? :alien51:

Seriously though i finish work at 6am here in the UK and i can also see the very bright star/venus.

You are correct, it is so bright it takes your attention away from the moon.

Im sure it is Venus though.? At least i hope it is..

RIK

Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:54 pm » by **Lisko**

demobe wrote:[youtube]7qRWVaA0ONE&feature[/youtube]

Having heard the rumors of a bright star in the morning sky here in Central California, I got up early this morning to explore what should be the planet Venus for myself. I have been watching Jupiter in the evening sky which has also been abnormally bright, enough so that I had to break out my old telescope.

So This morning, I took my $99 telescope to the street in front of my house. Not the best area for star watching, but this thing was so bright there was no need to find a darker place. The view of the moon next to this bright star was ominous. The star was so bright that it could easily take your attention away from the moon. The moon was illuminated from the eastern side making for a beautiful half moon. Theoretically, Venus should also be illuminated on only one side as well but was not. (image above)

Acording toStellarium ,the moon is between Venus and Antaris :flop:

Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:02 pm » by **Richc**

Hi lisko.

I love Stellarium. Ace bit of software.

I even used it to go back to the Birth of Christ to see what was in the sky at the time over the middle east.

Seems like the Star of Bethlehem was Sirius.

As you say though the bright star up there at the moment is infact Venus. :flop:

RIK

Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:59 pm » by **Savwafair2012**