bright star

[calladine]

hi everyone
i was looking at the pole star last night lovely and clear .i looked to my left to the west and saw avery bright star or planet very low on the horizon, i have seen this before and wondered what it was. can anyone enlighten me please not knowing anything about astronomy many thanks tezza.

[Phoebe]

Hi Calladine,

That bright planet will be Venus I think; it is featuring heavily at the moment. It might be worth checking previous threads in astronomy.

[carlos_dfc]

Yep - Venus

It's currently due West, and very low - at around 8:30 - 9:00pm
Sets about 9:15, just a tad north of due West (if you can see clear to the horizon)

Right now - just after 3pm - it's pretty much due South - about 35°-40° up (depending on your location) - can even be seen in broad daylight if you have reasonable eyesight.

**note**
The above times will vary a little - depending where you are located

[calladine]

thanks everyone for your replies info much appreciated
tezza

[RobinP]

Great views tonight, I wondered what it was, just visible above the house rooves slightly higher up the hill from me.

[Green Man]

definitely venus - great views right now - if interested try getting a programme called starry night back yard - set position on earth and it shows the night sky in real time - and it changes relative to real time too. Brilliant for learning the stars and constellations and comet and planets and - hey I'm an astronomy tutor, why am I giving out the trade secrets! Seriously, excellent programme.

[Peduk]

Originally Posted by Green Man

definitely venus - great views right now - if interested try getting a programme called starry night back yard - set position on earth and it shows the night sky in real time - and it changes relative to real time too. Brilliant for learning the stars and constellations and comet and planets and - hey I'm an astronomy tutor, why am I giving out the trade secrets! Seriously, excellent programme.

Well you have caused major grief with my good lady Green Man , at 51 years old i never had much interest in astronamy as i have no idea realy, after reading these posts about venus i have been out every night looking at it, then i got the programme you recommended, now im hooked, only thing is i dont realy understand were to go next as i will admit its all starnge to me, i know planets and thats it.
any way anyone help in next stage i be oblidged but needs to be simple start, thanks all
regards
steve

[Green Man]

keep a look at the St Ivo adult education prospectus - thats where I teach (when there are enough numbers to make it viable) and its a course for beginners over 8 weeks. Lots of fun and if the skys clear we look outside too! Will also learn about comets/meteors/ the sun/moon etc.Sometimes there are Sasturday workshops - contact St Ivo on 01480 495717 and they may be able to give you more info Regards Green Man

[Soupdragon]

Thanks to reading this thread, when our family sunset walk turned into a night time walk, we were able to quickly check we were going west because Venus was the only light visible in the sky! (West took us to a shortcut the children knew.) Thanks, Carlos, you saved us a walk through briar, mud and flood in the dark.

[carlos_dfc]

I'm really pleased that post helped somebody

Navigating by the stars is sadly becoming a long-lost skill.
I think everyone should at least know how to locate Polaris at night (and therefore, due North) - and also the relationship between the time of day, and the Sun's position in the sky.

Over the years, it's helped me out several times.

[calladine]

hi carlos dfc
youre right about knowing where polaris is, you always know which direction north is. i was once told you can use your watch as a compass in the daytime as long as you can see the sun. at 1.00 the sun is due south and if you use the hour hand point it in the direction of the sun that will give you south, draw an imaginary line to seven which will be your north,four west and ten east. as long as your watch keeps good time you should have a reasonably accurate emergency compass. of course itll never replace the good old silva and good map readeing skills