Science in the Sky.... Did you know?

**Times Roman** · 05-06-2014, 01:08 PM

we all know and can identify the planet Venus in the night sky.

But did you know that Mars is bright in the sky as well? (hint: look for the "RED" star by looking more to the south)

What I didn't know is that Jupiter is also visible in the western sky. It is supposed to be fairly bright as well. I'll be looking for that tonight.

And if the sky is unobstructed by building and mountains, you can see Mercury for the first 15 minutes or so after sun down.

**RaginCajun** · 05-06-2014, 02:12 PM

astrology has always interested me. just makes you wonder what is out there. i know there are a lot of apps now that you can just turn your phone to the sky and it will show you where planets and constellations are.

**Hazard** · 05-06-2014, 02:19 PM

Mars is supposed to be the tightest object in the sky for most of summer

**Times Roman** · 05-06-2014, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Hazard

Mars is supposed to be the tightest object in the sky for most of summer

Mars is very easy to spot in the night sky right now. I'd say it's probably about the same level of illumination as Venus. Now my interest is peaked and I'll be looking for Jupiter next. It's supposed to be easy to spot with the naked eye. With a telescope in the back yard, the "red spot" should be fairly easy to spot as well. Might even be able to see it with a good pair of binoculars.

**HitIt** · 05-06-2014, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by 00ragincajun00

astrology has always interested me. just makes you wonder what is out there. i know there are a lot of apps now that you can just turn your phone to the sky and it will show you where planets and constellations are.

it's ASTRONOMY. ;D

You can resolve Saturn's rings with a decent size binocular. Need about a 3 inch objective to resolve Cassini's division in the rings. The first time I saw the rings through my TeleVue refractor was a special moment.

**Times Roman** · 05-06-2014, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by HitIt

it's ASTRONOMY. ;D

You can resolve Saturn's rings with a decent size binocular. Need about a 3 inch objective to resolve Cassini's division in the rings. The first time I saw the rings through my TeleVue refractor was a special moment.

same here. first time I saw Jupiter's red spot, I was about 8 or 9. pretty cool!

**Chicagotarsier** · 05-07-2014, 03:05 AM

Coolest thing I ever experienced until 1990 was seeing Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope.

In 1990 I saw a night launch of the Shuttle in Florida......

That was the coolest thing EVER. All those years pretending to fly missiles and planes in the backyard came together in one moment...

Sad we no longer have a space program.

**Times Roman** · 05-07-2014, 10:00 AM

when I was maybe 10, we came home one night from an activity. we got out of the car, it was dark, and there was this beautiful phosperescent rainbow in the sky. Huge. And a space craft slowly moving through the sky. it was long and cigar shaped. it took about 15 minutes to traverse the heavens, and we had no clue what it was.

Later, Vandenberg Airforce Base had a press release saying it was a satellite falling back to earth.

But don't objects reentering earths atmosphere typically burn due to speed and friction?

This object was not on fire.

Very strange.