An Astronomical Treat

[airboatr]

Goo gile keyboard word substitution algorithms.

Astronomers

[Paul K]

Isn't there a comet visible at the moment, or soon to be so ?

Yep, comet Leonard.
https://www.planetary.org/articles/how- ... et-leonard

Brian

That's the one, cheers Brian.

[Nigel H-J]

It's not a photo, Nigel. It's a screenshot from the Stellarum program. In reality the moon looked somewhat larger and Saturn a little smaller, but there is a definite reddish colour to Saturn when viewed with the naked eye. Binoculars or a telescope would obviously give a better view.
Sadly, rain is forecast for this evening (at least here in Cambridgeshire), but the alignment should remain (the Moon may differ) for some time yet.

Kevin

Thanks for letting me know, unfortunately it is overcast and raining this evening, will se if tomorrow brings fairer weather.

Regards
Nigel.

[Kevin Farnell]

The delightful Dr Rebecca 'Becky' Smethurst has just released a YouTube video, featuring this planetary alignment (along with other Astronomical delights, such as the bright light that will pass over the UK at around 6:50am on the 25th Dec - is it Father Christmas' sleigh, or the International Space Station?). The planetary alignment is the first part of the video, so you don't need to watch it all, but there are other delights included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3froHZSKU

Kevin

[Airspeed]

The delightful Dr Rebecca 'Becky' Smethurst has just released a YouTube video, featuring this planetary alignment (along with other Astronomical delights, such as the bright light that will pass over the UK at around 6:50am on the 25th Dec - is it Father Christmas' sleigh, or the International Space Station?). The planetary alignment is the first part of the video, so you don't need to watch it all, but there are other delights included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3froHZSKU

Kevin

Good link, Kevin.
Thank you

[Kevin Farnell]

Just back from my walk to the village shop and the night sky is incredible. Absolutely crystal clear. Over the last few months, I've watched the planet Jupiter as it has traversed from the East to the West. It has been the brightest object in the night sky, after the Moon. Soon, Jupiter will disappear from view as it goes over the horizon in the West. Tonight, I was surprised to see two bright objects in the sky in the West. My only thought was one could be Venus. Getting home and checking on Stellarium, sure enough one was Venus and was the one that is even brighter than Jupiter.

Screenshot from Stellarium software -



Also, currently directly overhead is Mars. It doesn't look very big, but you can certainly make out a pink tinge to it.

Kevin

[nigelb]

If we're Lucky!
Astrologists are saying, it's not getting brighter.
..

https://www.space.com/comet-leonard-fad ... -splitting

That's all right, I don't believe in Astrology.

Kevin

Nigel²

[Airspeed]

Hi Kevin,
Glad that you have good weather for skywatching

[TSR2]

Hopefully its clear tonight and I’ll try and get a look.
Thanks for the tip Kevin

[Kevin Farnell]

Hi Kevin,
Glad that you have good weather for skywatching

Cheers Mike , good but cold, around freezing. You wouldn't want to be out for long, without a good coat and a thermos flask of hot tea or soup.

Hopefully its clear tonight and I’ll try and get a look.
Thanks for the tip Kevin

You'll need to look between dusk and about 8pm, they are low in the sky and after that, they are disappearing below the horizon. Hope you get to see them.

Kevin