night stars

[lotusrose]

Over the last few nige been looking at the stars when getting back home. I dont know much about the stars and those ones with names my kids the other night pointed out the saucepan. Anyway there is 3 stars that seem to stick out they seem to form a triangle and do change the shape of the triangle over the last few nights. The kids and I have noticed and have kept an eye on them. one of my kids said he could see the out line of the 3 stars and I said I also could see it, so we both drew what we saw and both had the same picture. I havent noticed these 3 stars before they go from a perfect triangle to different shape triangle. I didnt think stars moved has anyone else noticed them I would be lookingin the west

[rockinrobinsuk]

Download this free software to check if it matches what you are seeing
Its very good me and my kids use it
http://www.stellarium.org/

[lotusrose]

the 3 stars tonight are in a row

[klaxon72]

We are seeing it in Northern Delaware too. Along with many many other things. Saturday night about 2315 my friend and his brother witnessed a craft flying directly overhead. It was so low they were able to make out details of this thing.....

[rockinrobinsuk]

Originally Posted by lotusrose

the 3 stars tonight are in a row

did you install that software? and look to see what it might be???
If not tell me what time you see it and what city your looking from so i can check for you.

[silentnomore]

Originally Posted by rockinrobinsuk

Download this free software to check if it matches what you are seeing
Its very good me and my kids use it
http://www.stellarium.org/

I *heart* Stellarium. Awesome bit of software. :d

[lotusrose]

tonight the 3 stars are still there, the middle star has moved upwords. they are brighter than any other star and seem close. I live north of brisbane, the stars seem to be in the same place as the sun sets. Over a few nights now I have looked up and they were not there before, the kids seem to now question. the 2 on the out side look bright the middle one seems to look redish orange and is the only star moving over the course of nights.

[lotusrose]

Im just out of woodford, I notice the stars after this and that around 6-25pm the earlest thats when I get in the car and do this and that, but it after the sun has set.

[bertl]

Do you see these stars towards the West? I see this in Stellarium: a star ("Spica"), and two planets (Mars and Saturn). They made some interesting triangle and line shapes over the last week.



Well spotted! Most people don't notice planets or stars at all. You and your kids should definitely be proud of having found this with your own eyes.

(Fun fact: the word "planet" comes from a Greek term meaning "wandering star".)

[tasty wheat]

If you have an android smartphone, there is an AMAZING app called Google Sky map, There are also equivalents for the iPhone.

You point it up at the sky and it shows you all the constellations etc.

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

[lotusrose]

Originally Posted by bertl

Do you see these stars towards the West? I see this in Stellarium: a star ("Spica"), and two planets (Mars and Saturn). They made some interesting triangle and line shapes over the last week.



Well spotted! Most people don't notice planets or stars at all. You and your kids should definitely be proud of having found this with your own eyes.

(Fun fact: the word "planet" comes from a Greek term meaning "wandering star".)

they do look what I am seeing.. though the 3 stars I see the one in the middle moves and not just that the 3 stars move as they have done tonght not in the same spot. the middle star has moved up it like it moves up and down every night I look at it. it has been in th same spot for nights using the middle star to move and change the triangle shape. the 3 stars over 2 nights have moved left then right..tonight one star seems to hide shows 2 bright ones then the 3rd comes in and out. the 2 stars bright one was the middle which mow seems to be as bright with the 3rd coming and going. I find them interesting if only they could talk lol. just looking at them is like a calming feeling with a hint of fun and clowning around.

[zhiba]

Saturn and Mars were pretty bright in the sky last night, the brightest i've seen them for a long while.

[zhiba]

Originally Posted by bertl

Do you see these stars towards the West? I see this in Stellarium: a star ("Spica"), and two planets (Mars and Saturn). They made some interesting triangle and line shapes over the last week.



Well spotted! Most people don't notice planets or stars at all. You and your kids should definitely be proud of having found this with your own eyes.

(Fun fact: the word "planet" comes from a Greek term meaning "wandering star".)

Aren't we seeing Jupiter shining brightly in the night sky too? i always get Jupiter and Saturn mixed up, never know which one is which.... Though Mars is quite easy to spot, if a little fainter than the ju=iants up there.

[bertl]

Originally Posted by lotusrose

they do look what I am seeing.. though the 3 stars I see the one in the middle moves and not just that the 3 stars move as they have done tonght not in the same spot. the middle star has moved up it like it moves up and down every night I look at it. it has been in th same spot for nights using the middle star to move and change the triangle shape. the 3 stars over 2 nights have moved left then right..tonight one star seems to hide shows 2 bright ones then the 3rd comes in and out. the 2 stars bright one was the middle which mow seems to be as bright with the 3rd coming and going. I find them interesting if only they could talk lol. just looking at them is like a calming feeling with a hint of fun and clowning around.

Yep, then you're looking at Mars and Saturn! Mars moves around the sky a lot more than Saturn, so it's natural that the "star" in the middle is the one that keeps changing in your view. It's really quite something, isn't it...

[bertl]

Originally Posted by zhiba

Aren't we seeing Jupiter shining brightly in the night sky too? i always get Jupiter and Saturn mixed up, never know which one is which.... Though Mars is quite easy to spot, if a little fainter than the ju=iants up there.

Yep! The important thing to remember (in these times, at least) is that Saturn is very close to Mars, and that Jupiter is almost on the other side of the sky, near the Orion nebula.

[zhiba]

Originally Posted by bertl

Yep! The important thing to remember (in these times, at least) is that Saturn is very close to Mars, and that Jupiter is almost on the other side of the sky, near the Orion nebula.

ok thanks, so Jupiter is over in the East skies.....? When i see the moon here in the UK, those two planets in the same section of the sky are Mars and Saturn

[bertl]

Originally Posted by zhiba

ok thanks, so Jupiter is over in the East skies.....? When i see the moon here in the UK, those two planets in the same section of the sky are Mars and Saturn

Yep, Jupiter's in the East. Don't confuse it for Venus though! Venus is also on the East near Betelgeuze, but much lower than (and more towards the left of) Jupiter.

I'm afraid you're wrong with the Moon thing, though! Last week, the Moon was pretty close to Jupiter (it's New Moon now, so now it's not visible anywhere in the sky). Remember, the Moon moves around the night sky at a different pace than the stars.

Next week on the 22nd though, the Moon will be right up there with Mars and Saturn around sunset just before they all dip below the horizon. At this point, the Moon will be in the West.

[zhiba]

Originally Posted by bertl

Yep, Jupiter's in the East. Don't confuse it for Venus though! Venus is also on the East near Betelgeuze, but much lower than (and more towards the left of) Jupiter.

I'm afraid you're wrong with the Moon thing, though! Last week, the Moon was pretty close to Jupiter (it's New Moon now, so now it's not visible anywhere in the sky). Remember, the Moon moves around the night sky at a different pace than the stars.

Next week on the 22nd though, the Moon will be right up there with Mars and Saturn around sunset just before they all dip below the horizon. At this point, the Moon will be in the West.

Yeah, i've just had a gander with a compass at the night sky, and the moon was in the western skies....

Some time ago the quarter moon was low in the sky and tilted slightly so that it looked almost like a bowl on its side, Jupoiter and Mars were high up in the skies and lined up with the moon's 'tips' perfectly - was quite magical

[lotusrose]

satarn from what I read is the planet of war, but at the same time using the past to control the future. the dead controlling the living, I call it stuck inthe mud. wow I didnt think so many ppl are interested in the sky above. I enjoy reading what you all have to say something knew.

[zhiba]

Venus Mars w Crescent Moon form a smiley face.jpg

moon.jpg