Name that star

[dmurray14]

Hey guys,

Just looking at the sky tonight here in NJ, and there's a pretty bright star out in the western sky. It is far brighter than the rest. Any idea what it is? Maybe Venus?

Thanks guys,

Dan


PS...A while ago someone posted about some free star tracking software (something backyard maybe?) that allowed you to look at a virtual sky of what was out at any given date from your location. Anyone know the name of this software and where to download it?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Vertimus]

Ben Afflac?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Is it low to the horizon? If so, that's Venus. Is it up close to the moon? That's Saturn.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Definitely Venus.

 

[MacBaine]

It's neither Saturn nor Venus... he CLEARLY said he saw a bright STAR. IDIOTS!@!@!!@$

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
It's neither Saturn nor Venus... he CLEARLY said he saw a bright STAR. IDIOTS!@!@!!@$

mkay

Actually Venus is the brightest object in the sky other than the moon or the sun.

Saturn is smaller and yellow/brown and shows up mostly due south fairly low on the horizon, at least in my lattitude it is.

 

[Ikonomi]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: MacBaine
It's neither Saturn nor Venus... he CLEARLY said he saw a bright STAR. IDIOTS!@!@!!@$

mkay

Actually Venus is the brightest object in the sky other than the moon or the sun.

Saturn is smaller and yellow/brown and shows up mostly due south fairly low on the horizon, at least in my lattitude it is.

Well, I think he was just pointing out that Venus and Saturn aren't stars. (I forgot Saturn before the edit.)

Anyway, is it true that the ISS is visible at times right now? In what latitudes? That would be cool to spot.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
It's neither Saturn nor Venus... he CLEARLY said he saw a bright STAR. IDIOTS!@!@!!@$

Wow, don't you look like a moron. If he knew how to quality a star or a planet in the sky, do you not think he would be able to identify the object? :roll:

Yes, as others have said, it is unequivocally Venus.

Regarding the question on the tracking software, it might have been me to whom you are referring. There was a thread on this very topic a few days ago, and I posted this picture from my planeterium software. I use Cartes du Ciel and TheSky. I use both applications to track minor planets, comets, etc. with my laptop.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: MacBaine
It's neither Saturn nor Venus... he CLEARLY said he saw a bright STAR. IDIOTS!@!@!!@$

mkay

Actually Venus is the brightest object in the sky other than the moon or the sun.

Saturn is smaller and yellow/brown and shows up mostly due south fairly low on the horizon, at least in my lattitude it is.

Well, I think he was just pointing out that Venus and Saturn aren't stars. (I forgot Saturn before the edit.)

Anyway, is it true that the ISS is visible at times right now? In what latitudes? That would be cool to spot.

It's visible quite often, but it's not really that exciting visually. On more than a few occasions I've been observing a given object at high-power, and ISS zooms across my field of view; it goes so fast I hardly have a chance to gather my thoughts and track it. Anyway, check this site to determine where it will be visible in your location.

 

[So]

Carl's Jr.?