[ID] Which Celestial Object Is This, Please?

[Jason Green]

Hi,

I saw what I would describe as a bright star. It didn't move other than with the other stars during the course of the night.


1. Distant...


2. Closer...

I had my Exposure bias down two steps, on a tripod with a Timer used so there was little iof any shake, I used the Fuji's 300mm zoom +2x digital for No.1 and +5x for No.2.

Is it a star, a planet or something else?

Any help appreciated

Take care,

Jason

[djackso]

Hi, I've no idea - do you know roughly the position in the sky - north, west etc. Do you mean it moved with the stars? Was it's position fixed in relation to them? In which case, which constellations was it in/near?

I think this sort of information will give others a better idea.

[Jason Green]

Thanks

Unfortunately I have no idea at all about the constallation, I'm new to this sort of thing but would like to learn. I also don't know the direction for certain, but perhaps North-east? I'll let you know if I find out to the contrary.

It moved as did the stars in what I think was generally the same direction, but I also can't say for certain if it was the same speed or not.

Thanks for your assistance

[James M]

Also do you know what time it was?

[Jason Green]

Yes, around 21:30pm on Tuesday, I think

[mrs fish]

I think it might be Jupiter.

I have read that it is very bright at the moment, I did see what I think was Jupiter earlier this week in the South, it did look very big and twinkly

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I did see what I think was Jupiter earlier this week in the South, it did look very big and twinkly

If it was Jupiter it should not be twinkling, planets don't. It might shimmer if low to the horizon due to heat haze though.

Cheers,

Adam

[Adam Cheeseman]

Going purely on the image and the assumption that it is a planet, is it not like Mars. Jupiter is usually pale and normally has obvious bands of cloud around it and also in the distant image I would expect to see a couple or three of its closer moons. That's just my guess.

Cheers,

Adam

[Jason Green]

Jupiter, Really?! I don't think it was twinkling. I'll see tonight - I think it was there last night as well.

[mrs fish]

It was out there just now and twinkling, it is Jupiter

SkyandTelescope.com - Observing Highlights - All Hail, King Jupiter!

[James M]

It all depends on the direction though, if it was NE I can't see any large objects at that time.

[mrs fish]

It is S/SE, it should be there again to-night weather permitting

[Jason Green]

Hi,

Here are those from last night - ISO100 as opposed to 200 make all the difference!


1. This shows it as pale but seemingly with a green glow?


2. Can you see those 'satellite' objects?

Take care,

Jason

[mrs fish]

Where was it in the sky ?

[Jason Green]

I'll let you know...

It's South-east. I'll go back in half an hour and try for better pics...

[mrs fish]

It is Jupiter then I would think, the colours might be pollution in the sky?

I think your pic looks good whatever it is

[Jim Ford]

The four Galilean moons are easily visible with even simple binoculars, and are a dead giveaway for Jupiter.

Have a Google for 'Galilean moons'.

This is a good site:

Google Image Result for http://www.pacifier.com/~tpope/Galilean_Moons_of_Jupiter_2PB280064.jpg

Jim

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

The four Galilean moons are easily visible with even simple binoculars, and are a dead giveaway for Jupiter.

Jim

Sorry, so is this Jupiter given it's South-east and seemingly has white objects nearby (moons?), or is it something else?

Thanks Mrs. Fish

[Jim Ford]

I've just had a look outside (at 2230 hrs BST) to check, but it's overcast!

Jupiter will be the brightest object in the sky, discounting the Moon, and Venus (because it's never far from sunset or sunrise). If you have a line of 4 objects near the planet (as shown in the link in my previous post), then I'm confident that it's Jupiter. But note that you may see less than 4 because the others could be hidden behind Jupiter.

If you're interested in the night sky, try downloading Celestia. It's free and gives you an accurate representation in real time of the night sky.

BTW, in general stars twinkle but planets don't, unless the seeing is particularly poor owing to atmospheric disturbance. Also, the major planets can be resolved to a disk with relatively little magnification, whereas no star will, even with the largest telescope.

Jim

[Jason Green]

Thanks Jim , it was there again last night - in between the overcast spells. Try again tonight and let me know.

[Rob Chace]

I can see 2 maybe 3 moons in one of the pics, although faint. I would say it was Jupiter.

[Jason Green]

Hi,

Yes, the moons show up in this one.


This was with manual focus, the ones where Auto Focus was used they didn't show.

I imagine it was the difference in DoF at such immense distance!!