Quizzes & Puzzles16 mins ago
Can Anyone Tell Me The Name Of This Star?
In the last few weeks, it has shone very brightly to the south (I live on north coast of Ireland). Looking with the naked eye it seems to be a cluster of stars, rather than one star.
It appears when darkness falls, around 5.00 p.m. and disappears later in the evening.
It is very beautiful at present.
Does anyone know its name?
It appears when darkness falls, around 5.00 p.m. and disappears later in the evening.
It is very beautiful at present.
Does anyone know its name?
Answers
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January, evening: the Double Cluster and the 'Demon Star', Algol.
Algol
Algol and the Double Cluster.
Image: Stellarium/IM
January is a good time to look high in the south after dark towards the constellations of Cassiopea and Perseus. Perseus contains two interesting objects; the Double Cluster between the two constellations and Algol the 'Demon Star'. Algol in an eclipsing binary system as seen in the diagram below. Normally the pair has a steady magnitude of 2.2 but every 2.86 days this briefly drops to magnitude 3.4.
January, evening: the Double Cluster and the 'Demon Star', Algol.
Algol
Algol and the Double Cluster.
Image: Stellarium/IM
January is a good time to look high in the south after dark towards the constellations of Cassiopea and Perseus. Perseus contains two interesting objects; the Double Cluster between the two constellations and Algol the 'Demon Star'. Algol in an eclipsing binary system as seen in the diagram below. Normally the pair has a steady magnitude of 2.2 but every 2.86 days this briefly drops to magnitude 3.4.
According to this website, Venus is visible now in the south-west night sky:
https:/ /www.sp ace.com /33619- visible -planet s-guide .html
https:/
Thanks for the suggestion, Ichkeria. I googled Venus, and found this
"Even casual skywatchers cannot fail to notice brightest planet Venus currently hanging like a lantern above the southwest horizon at nautical dusk, which is presently about 6pm GMT for the centre of the British Isles."
This certainly sounds like the one I am seeing. Very bright, hanging low in the sky to the south, and slightly west, shows up at dusk, then disappears.
A very beautiful sight. Thanks for the information.
"Even casual skywatchers cannot fail to notice brightest planet Venus currently hanging like a lantern above the southwest horizon at nautical dusk, which is presently about 6pm GMT for the centre of the British Isles."
This certainly sounds like the one I am seeing. Very bright, hanging low in the sky to the south, and slightly west, shows up at dusk, then disappears.
A very beautiful sight. Thanks for the information.
Ooops while I was typing, Cloverjo and Bookbinder also answered. Many thanks. I think I am convincing myself that it is Venus, although I am tempted by the "double cluster" description by Cloverjo as this one seems to have smaller, fainter stars surrounding it.
But the brightness is so vivid, I think it has to be Venus.
But the brightness is so vivid, I think it has to be Venus.