Last night around 9:00 EST on the East Coast of the USA I saw a very bright object. It was about about 12 degrees above the left cresent side of the moon. Maybe 30 degrees off the horizon. It's magnatude was outstanding. Brighter then I have seen in a great time. If I had to guess I would say maybe a -2 or more. It was much brighter then any star in the sky last night. I did not have a compass so I could not know the direction it was, I also did not have a sextant to measure the size. But if you looked up last night, around 9:00 you would have seen it no doubt. Anybody have any ideas as to what it might be?
Thanks
b
2007-03-21 07:39:24 · 11 answers · asked by Bacchus 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
That was Venus (and I think it's closer to magnitude -4 right now, and even visible during the day, if you know where to look). If it's clear where you are tonight, look for Venus again, this time below and to the right of the Moon.
2007-03-21 07:54:59 · answer #1 · answered by kris 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I saw it last night as well from SW England, it was very bright. There's a few indicators to it being a planet, First it is near to the moon so it is near the Ecliptic. The moon and all the planets slowly "move along" close to this line. Second if you see a bright star that looks different or unfamiliar, chances are it is a planet (because they move around the sky). Finally you can tell it is Venus because it is very bright (and large) for a couple of hours either side of sunset (or sunrise). I expect Venus should be visible most evenings for at least a month or so.
2007-03-21 07:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by tim d 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the object you saw was Venus. The magnitude was bright because (1. it was a "close" object and 2. It reflects light well due to the gasses in it's atmostphere). April 20, at about your time, I saw venus along with the moon in the west, and Venus was at about 10 o'clock when looking at the moon.
2007-03-21 10:15:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To decide if it's a star or plane!t, just see if it's twinkling!
Planets do not twinkle the way stars do. The reason is that stars are so far away that they are essentially points of light on the sky, while planets actually have finite size. The size of a planet on the sky in a sense "averages out" the turbulent effects of the atmosphere, presenting a relatively stable image to the eye
2007-03-21 12:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by youshouldneverthrowacat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that would be Venus it is a planet that we can see in a certain time of the year.It is beautiful to watch it when sunset is over around 8:00pm!
2007-03-21 07:50:40 · answer #5 · answered by Diana D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
venus, but that's a ventured guess, but Venus is typically the brightest object int he sky, however i think 9:00 pm is a little early for venus to be showing..
2007-03-21 07:44:12 · answer #6 · answered by m34tba11 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Venus can only be seen at the horizon, sometime during the twilight period....you, my friend, might have witnessed a supernova.....
2007-03-21 07:44:21 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It was Venus
2007-03-21 07:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by Gene 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this is the FBI.
WE've come to take you to the happy happy asylum.
Just kidding!
2007-03-21 07:42:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it was the space station
2007-03-21 09:20:23 · answer #10 · answered by wizar10443_1989 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋