jimc@haddock.UUCP (02/26/85)
There has lately been an especially bright star or planet in the west-by-southwestern sky. It is far brighter than any other celestial body I have seen in the past few weeks, with the exception of the Sun and the Moon, of course. In fact, it is so bright that I see it on evenings that the clouds have concealed all the other stars in the sky. Is this merely the planet Venus, or is it something else? Jim Campbell INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation Boston
mario@clyde.UUCP (Michael Mario) (02/28/85)
> There has lately been an especially bright star or planet in the > west-by-southwestern sky. It is far brighter than any other celestial > body I have seen in the past few weeks, with the exception of the > Sun and the Moon, of course. > Jim Campbell According to Sky and Telescope this probably is Venus which is very close to its' greatest brilliance. On Feb 26 it was at its brightest with a magnitude of -4.6. Venus sets fairly early in the evening but before it does is the most prominent object in the sky (except the moon of course). I have not had a chance to look at it with my little telescope recently, but it should be very interesting to anyone with binoculars or a small telescope. Also of interest is Mars which is very close to Venus, about 5 degrees to the left (south), Mars is easily distinguished because of its distinctive color. While I'm at it, is there anyone in the Northern NJ area interested in observing? I would like to begin some serious skygazing. mike mario AT & T Bell Labs Rm 1A-115 Whippany Rd. Whippany, NJ 07981 386-4699 clyde!mario
canopus@amdahl.UUCP (Flaming Asteroid) (02/28/85)
> There has lately been an especially bright star or planet in the > west-by-southwestern sky. It is far brighter than any other celestial > body I have seen in the past few weeks [...] > [...] Is this merely the planet Venus, or is it something else? It is Venus. -- Frank Dibbell (408-746-6493) {whatever}!amdahl!canopus [R.A. 6h 22m 30s Dec. -52d 36m] [Generic disclaimer.....]
rjs@bonnie.UUCP (Robert Snyder) (03/01/85)
Since venus is very bright these days, another fun thing to do is go out at noon on a clear day and look at it. Get a good idea of the relative positions of the sun and venus (and possibly the moon) the evening before. Then cover the sun with an outstretched hand and scan the area you think venus is in. Keep your eyes moving until you find it since they notice moving objects better than still ones. Robert Snyder clyde!rjs