Bright object in southern sky

OceanBlue · 09-04-2008, 09:10 PM

I just stepped outside and noticed an extremely bright object (star, planet?) in the southern sky. I don't think I've ever seen it before...

What is it? Even with the bright lights in the 'burbs, it's the brightest object in the sky.

Am I seeing the "southern cross" for the first time ever?

Inquiring minds want to know....

CATCH AND EAT · 09-04-2008, 09:55 PM

Jupiter.

ET · 09-04-2008, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the question and the answer. My daughter and I noticed it the other night and I couldn't tell her what it was. At first she thought it was an airplane because it was too bright to be a star. I was thinking it was a planet or possibly a satellite but didn't know.

OceanBlue · 09-05-2008, 04:36 AM

Thanks Bernie! That was wild. The back of my house faces south and in all my years of sitting on that back patio, I don't recall having ever seen it.

Old Coot · 09-05-2008, 07:22 PM

If you look at Jupiter with decent binoculars, or a spotting scope, you can make out 3 or 4 moons depending upon where they are in their orbits. Sometimes one is in front of, or behind, the planet and indiscernable They have brief orbital periods, so you can see the position of the moons change from nite to nite. Make a sketch of what you see one night, then look again a few nites later, make another sketch and then compare the two.

The readily visible moons are Io, Europa, Calisto and Ganymede.

I think this is my post #1000. I need therapy.

OceanBlue · 09-05-2008, 07:26 PM

That might explain it's oblong appearance and the "star" like tendrils it seemed to display last night. Thanks for the additional explanation. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

as far as your number of posts and needing therapy... what does that say about mine and me??

SouthSantiamSlayer · 09-05-2008, 07:44 PM

It's Niburu!!
Planet X!!
End of the world!!!!!

Fish Mode · 09-06-2008, 02:39 AM

Aliens, you were just obtained and returned from one of their scientific experiments. Do you feel fine? Well, ya aren't!

feisty's wife · 09-06-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

That might explain it's oblong appearance and the "star" like tendrils it seemed to display last night. Thanks for the additional explanation. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

as far as your number of posts and needing therapy... what does that say about mine and me??

What does it say about the one we all love...Jennie?