I have searched various web sites, which all list "the brightest" stars but theta Geminorum (SAO 59570) is not listed as one of them. But to the naked eye, it is clearly the brightest star in the night sky.
It is located in the North Eeasternly night sky.
2007-11-23 07:05:48 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Thanx to the answers so far. I tried to add an answer to explain the following.....i am infact mistaken. I just recently bought a scope, and this is only the 2nd night i could see the sky. With the scope came a cd mapping the sky. basically the cd looks good, but mixed me up big time. According to this cd, Theta Gem should be directly below Capella, which is the same position i saw the bright object. But yeah its Mars. I actually thought it was Mars or venus before this cd confused me.
I was saying over and over how can this object be theta gem, when this is pretty much an obscure star.
A look at the magnitude table shows, that Theta Gem is roughly -3.5 and so very hard to see with the Naked eye, where as Mars is close to +3.
cant believe i made such a basic error, i blame the dam cd, lol.
2007-11-23 12:11:37 · update #1
I think you'll find those magnitudes are incorrect. Magnitude 3 is relatively faint. Magnitude -3 is close to the brightness of Venus. The lower the number, the brighter the object.
To go with your scope, I suggest a good book of star maps and/or "star-hopping" charts. "Nightwatch" is an excellent one. It is better (and more fun) for you to start learning the sky by yourself first.
2007-11-23 13:31:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not in the top 100 brightest stars. Theta Geminorum is about magnitude 4 and the dimmest star in the 100 list is 2.58
2007-11-23 07:22:39 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Right now Mars is about the same position as Theta Geminorum. Are you sure you have the right object? Mars is very bright.
2007-11-23 07:56:02 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Theta Geminorum is nearer to the earth and apears to be brighter as the light has less distance to travel. other stars may seem faint but are actualy much brighter, but less light can get to our eyes as the star is futher away. Has that answered your question?
2007-11-24 22:16:08 · answer #4 · answered by sweetie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The previous answers are correct. The fact that it is Theta Gemini should be a dead give away that it isn't that bright,
2007-11-23 07:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by Mark G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a roughly 4th mag star ,the 50th brightest star is a mag 2.50 that is why it is not listed
2007-11-23 07:13:23 · answer #6 · answered by elfy1960 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋