Astronomers..........

[RegMolehusband]

.....what is the star currently close to the Moon, and the particulary bright one low in the southern sky(Venus?)?

[TheHeretic]

Jupiter.

[RegMolehusband]

They are both Jupiter?

[TheHeretic]

RegMolehusband said:

They are both Jupiter?

Sorry... Thought you suggested it might be Venus! The one closets the moon is Jupiter.The other is indeed Venus.

[Eric Mc]

And neither are "stars", of course.

I just had a look at Jupiter throgh my binocs about 45 minutes ago and two of the moons are to the left of the planet.

[thinfourth2]

Uranus ?

[nellyleelephant]

thinfourth2 said:

Uranus ?

Comedy gold.

[Eric Mc]

thinfourth2 said:

Uranus ?

Not visible to the naked eye - unless you know EXACTLY where to look.

[RegMolehusband]

Thanks Eric and thanks TH. I know they're not stars as such. Just using the general term.

I've always been fascinated by the night sky but have never lived anywhere suitable to do any proper viewing. I should do so now out in the country a bit.

[anonymous-user]

if you have an android phone, try this

http://www.google.com/mobile/skymap/

[TheHeretic]

I keep meaning to get a telescope of some half arsed variety, as there is almost zero light pollution where I live, as long as I turn my own lights off.

[Eric Mc]

It's very rewarding finding your way about the night sky. I'm very much an armchair astronomer but can identify the main constellations and some of the named stars.

[RegMolehusband]

Wow! I've just looked at Jupiter through my old 10x50 Miranda binocs and I can indeed see the two moons! That's a first for me, thank you Eric.

[nellyleelephant]

RegMolehusband said:

Wow! I've just looked at Jupiter through my old 10x50 Miranda binocs and I can indeed see the two moons! That's a first for me, thank you Eric.

Now go and spend £1000's more so you can see a few cloud bands on the planet

A hobby worth pursuing in my eyes!

[RegMolehusband]

Right - where do I point my 1976 10x50's to see our neighbouring Andromeda galaxy please?

[TheHeretic]

RegMolehusband said:

Right - where do I point my 1976 10x50's to see our neighbouring Andromeda galaxy please?

Moon and Jupiter to the left on the pic.

[hesnotthemessiah]

RegMolehusband said:

.....what is the star currently close to the Moon, and the particulary bright one low in the southern sky(Venus?)?

Jupiter is next to the moon and Venus is just above the horizon towards the south.

[nellyleelephant]

Right, the top three stars in cassiopeia form a triangle that points to Andromeda......second thoughts, quickly download Stellarium (it's free) find it on there then go outside!

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-the-Andromeda-Galaxy might help.

[bubblebobble]

funnily enough earlier this evening I wondered what the bright light was close to moon, wether planet or satellite.
Reading this thread I too have dusted off the 10x50s and I have to say I am impressed, venus and jupiter with 2 of its moons.
Astounded to see the moons.
Thanks for the eye opener guys.

[Thom987]

RegMolehusband said:

.....what is the star currently close to the Moon, and the particulary bright one low in the southern sky(Venus?)?

My missus just asked me this while we were out walking the dog. Didnt think I'd find the answer on PH.