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Original poster

Night sky tonight

29 replies

Zuffe · 23/02/2023 19:32

Lovely view of the moon aligned with Venus and Jupiter tonight. Due West, then below the horizon by now Saturn and Mercury. To the South, the clear shoulders of Orion, his three-studded belt below to his battle dress. Just above the shoulders, Mars. The red planet. All with the naked eye here (Midlands). Glorious night sky.

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 23/02/2023 19:39

Get a telescope OP.

DrSalome · 23/02/2023 19:41

Lovely description ☺️
I did notice the sky tonight, gorgeous crescent moon. Didn't know the planets. Thanks OP.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 23/02/2023 19:41

It’s just beautiful, isn’t it.

Original poster
Zuffe · 23/02/2023 19:45

Got a telescope, but to be honest a quality pair of gyro binoculars is just as good.

People may not believe it, but with a £200 pair of binos you can see Saturns rings.

OP posts:
DosCervezas · 23/02/2023 19:45

I really enjoy star gazing, unfortunately nowadays it's becoming very difficult with the numbers of people near me who believe it's necessary to constantly illuminate their back garden with the brightest lights they can get hold of, all in the name of security apparently!

Original poster
Zuffe · 23/02/2023 19:47

Go on App Store and download SkyView.

Amazing App. Free! You hold it up and it tells you what the stars are. Great to do outdoors. But works inside as well. I SkyView in bed is brilliant with a cup of hot chocolate.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zuffe · 23/02/2023 19:51

AstroViewer is another good one. ISS is amazing to see on a clear morning. Watch it as it comes into view over the horizon. West to East, when I saw it last I checked out it’s position as it came into view - Kid you not West Coast of Ireland, then after 6 minutes traversing the sky, I last saw its tail dim over….guess where?

In just 6 minutes?

OP posts:
DrSalome · 23/02/2023 19:51

My DD recently asked me "Do you love me or the moon more? Cos you get very excited about the moon" 😄

Neuronamechange · 23/02/2023 19:52

@Zuffe we use the free version of Night Sky. Really like the app but will check out the one you suggested too.

TwoMonthsOff · 23/02/2023 19:53

Thank you. Very clear and cold here 🥶

frozendaisy · 23/02/2023 19:55

I live with an astrophysicist by education, we have recently put in skylights.

We played the would you rather game? One question was would you rather it be day or night all the time? We all eventually answered day but not before I uttered "you lose the stars though"

In olden days one theory people thought was stars were pinpricks in the ground of heaven and I can totally get lost in that thought.

Atethehalloweenchocs · 23/02/2023 19:56

Its lovely isnt it - did not know what I was looking at, but it stopped me in my tracks when I went out to the bin!

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 23/02/2023 19:57

I have just come into the house after taking a number of photos with my camera of this wonderous sight. 😍 Such a clear night, and such a beautiful sight to behold! Smile

Original poster
Zuffe · 23/02/2023 19:58

…it was Belgium!

amazing. I also look at the contrails of aircraft. Early morning is the best time - we are coming up to March/April when the contrails are thicker and the morning light comes earlier. I see contrails in the morning light some 40,000 feet above and I open Flight Radar (another app…) and I can pinpoint exactly where those planes are. I can see the planes with a naked eye, just two tiny pinpoints shining silver as the sun below the horizon strikes them, wide pink and grey contrails behind. Yet these planes are about 100 miles away heading over The Wash to Amsterdam.

Over The Wash and I can see them with my naked eye.

OP posts:
WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 23/02/2023 20:02

Lovely @Zuffe Grin

Ratataty · 23/02/2023 20:03

I work in a boarding school and the head just rushed into tea, made everyone leave their food and go out to look at it. He was very excited! Of course one of the 13 year olds asked about Uranus,

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff · 23/02/2023 20:06

Ratataty · 23/02/2023 20:03

I work in a boarding school and the head just rushed into tea, made everyone leave their food and go out to look at it. He was very excited! Of course one of the 13 year olds asked about Uranus,

Grin
Coxspurplepippin · 23/02/2023 20:06

WibblyWobblyTimeyWimeyStuff, any chance of you posting some pictures? Hazy here tonight, so visible moon but not much else.

MyCatTibby · 23/02/2023 20:09

Beautiful description OP I went out earlier and got a great pic of Orion and Mars on Skyview. Pisces were in view looking at the Moon, Jupiter and avenue too!

Night sky tonight
Timide · 23/02/2023 20:09

What binoculars do you use?

Nimbostratus100 · 23/02/2023 20:10

Zuffe · 23/02/2023 19:45

Got a telescope, but to be honest a quality pair of gyro binoculars is just as good.

People may not believe it, but with a £200 pair of binos you can see Saturns rings.

I can see them with my £40 bins!

AlloftheTime · 23/02/2023 20:16

@Zuffe amazing isn’t it?
earlier I messaged four friends and my mum to get them to look!

Spanielsarepainless · 23/02/2023 20:20

Southwest here, just went out with binoculars and Stellarium app. Pleiades absolutely sparkling. Betelgeuse, at the top of Orion, looking very orange. Aldebaran glowing. And Cassiopeia 's chair right over the back garden. Jupiter and Venus very bright. And a dear little waxing crescent moon

theworldhas · 23/02/2023 20:30

Had never been much interested in astronomy, but ended up buying a decent telescope a few years ago, having moved to a suburb with darkish skies and finding myself constantly looking up in the evenings. It’s been right up there with one of my best ever adult purchases. So easy to use (albeit a bit heavy) and has given me some of the nearest moments I’ve had to religious/spiritual type experience.

Original poster
Zuffe · 23/02/2023 20:33

‘…..it’s been right up there with one of my best ever adult purchases….”

I don’t know what you mean. (Ooo….matron) (Phnarr phnaar…)

OP posts:
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