What’s the bright star near the moon?

[LoveNote]

Bottom right at about 5 o clock if I use the clock face to place it?

It’s bright!

Just driving home and google giving differing answers

Just read today that Betelgeuse (a star in Orion) has dimmed significantly since October. It's due to go supernova at some point in the future so this could be a precursor. If it does go soon it will be quite spectacular and may even be visible during the day.

That's interesting @iklboo, thanks.

I read that too! Which part of Orion is it?!

its all really fascinating, another rabbit hole for me to fall down

DC received a telescope for Christmas, have download the apps mentioned and look forward to trying out the telescope tonight.

Here's a map of Orion

@iklboo why fnaar fnaar?

@Brahumbug - sorry, being childish. You can theoretically see Uranus.

@iklboo ah I see, I follow now

@beelzeboob - I just read my reply to you and I sound like a right snotty cow! I'm so sorry I didn't mean it to come across like that.

The Betelgeuse thing is mind boggling. It is 700 light years away.

No harm done @iklboo - I thought your comment respectfully pointed out I was mistaken!

By the way if anyone here is interested in the big questions like “why are we here” and “what is the universe” and “are we alone” then I 100% recommend Brian Cox’s book “The Human Universe”. I’ve read it 3 times now. It’s bloody brilliant.

Thank you! I’m off to Amazon that book too

@Spartonian what telescope did you get? I'm after one for ds. Did you get a good view? Thanks

Thank you! Looking forward to reading that book.

@danni0509 we got the Celestron Astromaster 90AZ Refractor Telescope with 3 Axis Smartphone Adapter, not actually used it yet, it was the best one we found in our price range, with the best reviews.

I once told DH I thought we were seeing Saturn one starry night. He pissed himself laughing at my stupidity then looked it up ....’oh actually you could be right!’

@iklboo sorry, I get the joke now!

I read this thread when it was first posted and had a good look on the nights following but sadly didn't see anything.

Well that's changed

My daughter was frightened of a bright star... so I downloaded an app which supposedly confirms its Venus. Pic attached.

She's only young, but trying to explain million of light years away is a Minefield

You x

Yes, Venus looking very bright in clear skies here. (Look SW, up to the left of the setting sun; Venus is far brighter than the stars that are visible). If you read this post after about 7:50pm, you'll have missed it.