Stargazing and Space Exploration

[Scottie Dog]

Nature called at 5.10 this morning however, using the forced opportunity of being awake, I opened the window to look for Venus & Jupiter and, instead of a wonderful view, all that befell me was the patter of raindrops.

Oh well, we can't win them all and at least the reason for up was not totally wasted!!

I really must get my Celeston astronomical telescope out of storage and use the warmer, though of course lighter, evening to view the night sky.

 

[Aviador]

The same for me . I was up for work bright and early but it was raining here too sadly.

 

[Seasider]

We need the rain on the East Coast. (Don't tell the holidaymakers I said that)

 

[Aviador]

We need the rain on the East Coast. (Don't tell the holidaymakers I said that)

Shhhh!!! I always remember one year my dad saying we need rain around this time of the year and then it seemed to rain for the rest of the summer.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

NASA Artemis Launch

NASA are due to launch their new Artemis rocket today at 12:33 GMT (13:33 BST), weather and other events permitting.
I'm very much looking forward to this launch and I hope everything goes as planned. Apart from the boosters strapped to the side, the design looks very similar to a Saturn V to me, although, I guess that the technology has moved on significantly.
Also, I believe that 'Artemis' was the sister of 'Apollo' (as well as being 'Goddess of the Moon'), in Greek mythology, so quite a fitting name for NASA's next generation Moon (and possibly further) launch vehicle.

Kevin

 

[Jerry]

Apart from the boosters strapped to the side, the design looks very similar to a Saturn V to me, although

It's like nasa have taken a step back from what was a reusable vehicle back to a multi stage mostly disposable vehicle as only the cockpit module and boosters will be able to be reused I believe.
It's definitely exciting times because this marks the beginning of not just mankind returning to the Moon but mankind going too Mars.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Recently back from a short walk around the village and with the clear sky, there is an excellent view of an almost full Moon, with the planet Jupiter just above it. After the Moon, Jupiter is by far the brightest object in the sky at the moment.

Kevin

 

[Scottie Dog]

I did try getting a photo of Jupiter last week however, with a handheld camera I couldn't net enough exposure. The result was a grey circle but you could just make out the 'red spot' although even that was a darker shade of grey!

 

[Aviador]

Recently back from a short walk around the village and with the clear sky, there is an excellent view of an almost full Moon, with the planet Jupiter just above it. After the Moon, Jupiter is by far the brightest object in the sky at the moment.

Kevin

Likewise, this morning too.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Looking at the weather, it should be another clear night tonight (at least here in Eastern England). Using the excellent free astronomy program 'Stellarium', I've fast forwarded to 8pm and not only the Moon and Jupiter should be visible, but also Saturn.

Image shown is a screenshot from Stellarium.

Kevin

 

[Kevin Farnell]

James Webb Space Telescope images

How stunning are these?

James Webb telescope: Amazing images show the Universe as never before

It's a year since the James Webb telescope launched, and we've marvelled at its pictures ever since.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Scottie Dog]

Amazing and thank you for sharing.

 

[Aviador]

With a $10bn price tag it needs to be pretty good

The picture thumbnail looks like it could easily be a painting.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Just back from my walk to the village shop and the night sky is incredible. Absolutely crystal clear. Over the last few months, I've watched the planet Jupiter as it has traversed from the East to the West. It has been the brightest object in the night sky, after the Moon. Soon, Jupiter will disappear from view as it goes over the horizon in the West. Tonight, I was surprised to see two bright objects in the sky in the West. My only thought was one could be Venus. Getting home and checking on Stellarium, sure enough one was Venus and was the one that is even brighter than Jupiter.

Screenshot from Stellarium software -

The view should be similar for the next few nights, but the forecast is for more clouds.

Also, currently directly overhead is Mars. It doesn't look very big, but you can certainly make out a pink tinge to it.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Thank you Kevin for reminding me that my telescope has been gathering dust in the garage for far too long.

I really must start to rejuvenate my stellar interest.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Thank you Kevin for reminding me that my telescope has been gathering dust in the garage for far too long.

I really must start to rejuvenate my stellar interest.

It's an absolutely fascinating subject. I remember, even as a kid, my Dad and I standing outside staring at the night sky. It was best when we had gone away on the caravan and were in the countryside where there was little light pollution. Although, the best night sky I've ever seen, was in New Zealand. We were staying way out in the countryside and there was no light pollution at all. The sky was ablaze with stars (although the constellations were 'upside down').
Also clearly visible tonight in the South, is my favourite constellation, Orion with Sirius just to the East of it.
If you want some astronomy software, I can't recommend Stellarium highly enough. It does more than I could ever want from it, it's free and available for Windows, Mac and Linux or you can just view it online at Stellarium Web. There are also Apps available, but they may cost a small fee.

 

[Jerry]

Saw them the other night! Was an amazing sight.

 

[Aviador]

Saw them the other night! Was an amazing sight.

Same, I wondered if one of our star boffins would know what it was. agree though, an incredible sight. Something we don't see very often.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I wouldn't call myself a 'star boffin', but I do find astronomy fascinating. On a crystal clear night, as it was tonight the view (even just by the naked eye) is spectacular. And then, when you think of the vast distances away that the Stars and Planets are (not to mention their sizes), it's mind boggling. For example, Sirius (I believe is the brightest star in the sky - it's not a planet, which can be brighter, as they are closer) and visible in the south is 8.6 light years away. That means that at light speed (186,000 miles per second - yes!, per second), it takes light from Sirius 8.6 years to reach Earth.. So. you're seeing Sirius as it was 8.6 years ago. Some stars are much, much further away than that.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Wonderfully clear skies again here in Cambridgeshire (disturbed by jets returning to RAF Lakenheath - either F15's or F22's). Looking directly up, is a perfect half Moon and immediately East of it is Mars. Just below them, is my favourite constellation - Orion ('The Hunter'), which contains Betelgeuse (a 'red giant' star) to the upper left of the constellation, and lower, just East of that, is Sirius (the brightest star in the sky). Turning 180 degrees and looking North, is I believe 'The Plough' (I think they call the constellation 'The Big Dipper' in the US). Hope you have clear skies where you are.