star or planet?

[jaberwocky]

the bright light in the night sky to the west of us,is this,as i think,a planet? if so my money's on venus.any ideas? thanks.

[CarlSagan]

Go on google earth, find your house, then turn it round to face the direction you are saying and flip to the stars. It will tell you the name.

[dustypuss]

yes it is Venus . pretty isn't it

[dustypuss]

this might help

http://www.nineplanets.org/venus.html

[cockroach]

My dad told me ot was Neptune....did it have a faint star at 11'o'clock ??

[dustypuss]

I think you dad has very very good eye sight

I dont think that Neptune is visible with the naked eye

http://www.nineplanets.org/neptune.html

[dustypuss]

Ps It is Venus honest

Do you know how to tell a planet from a star

If you look at a star it twinkles

If you look at a planet it is a steady light it does not twinkle

[Lakitu]

Venus is pretty.

Stars twinkle because of earths atmosphere interfickering with the light :o)

[mibn2cweus]

you win!

[Whickerman]

Lakitu - not all of them!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsar

[jaberwocky]

thanks to all.should have had bet on with wife.she says it was a star.what do women know!!!! oops,that's me in trouble!

[Lakitu]

Thank you Whikerman :o)

I've just recently bought a telescope and my first proper astrology books and still learning the ropes :o) x

[dustypuss]

^
lakita

please note telly scope for looking at stars not through bedroom windows

[dot.hawkes]

It is actually Jupiter and saturn is slightly below to the right of it according to my son who seems to be pretty sure,

[mibn2cweus]

Jupiter is currently opposite the Sun and only beginning to work its way towards being visible again in the early dawn.
If you are very lucky to have a clear view of the eastern horison, you might be able to find it about an hour before sunrise on the 22nd of February, nestled between Mercury and Mars below a waning crescent Moon.

[mibn2cweus]

Saturn, currently between Spica and Regulus in the constellation Leo, does not yet rise until later in the evening.

The Planets in January

[dustypuss]

you could allso try this . you will have to find your latt & long
to get the correct sky map



http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/