Check out Venus and Jupiter

[Pheran]

If you've got a reasonably clear sky in North America, go outside and look around tonight (right now on the east coast). You'll see two extremely bright "stars" a bit above the horizon. The lower, brighter one is Venus, and the upper one is Jupiter. Cool little astronomical alignment.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: Pheran
If you've got a reasonably clear sky in North America, go outside and look around tonight (right now on the east coast). You'll see two extremely bright "stars" a bit above the horizon. The lower, brighter one is Venus, and the upper one is Jupiter. Cool little astronomical alignment.

Damn trees.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: Pheran
If you've got a reasonably clear sky in North America, go outside and look around tonight (right now on the east coast). You'll see two extremely bright "stars" a bit above the horizon. The lower, brighter one is Venus, and the upper one is Jupiter. Cool little astronomical alignment.

Damn trees.

At the moment they are high enough that most trees shouldn't be a problem, unless you are right next to big ones. Look southwest.

 

[frostedflakes]

I've wondered what those were. One is super bright, I'm guessing that's Jupiter?

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
I've wondered what those were. One is super bright, I'm guessing that's Jupiter?

Nope, Venus, it is much closer than Jupiter, even though Jupiter is larger.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: Pheran

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
I've wondered what those were. One is super bright, I'm guessing that's Jupiter?

Nope, Venus, it is much closer than Jupiter, even though Jupiter is larger.

Yeah that makes sense. I fail at astronomy.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Why do you mention North America specifically in your OP? They are far more visible in the southern hemisphere. They have been edging closer to one another for a few weeks now, I believe tonight is the closest they will come. Still hardly 'lined up' though, they are about 2deg (4 moon widths) apart.

 

[raystorm]

Not sure if I'll see anything here in NYC but I'll give the sky a look later tonight.

 

[shortylickens]

How come we dont have any Uranus jokes yet?

Is Off Topic losing its edge?


Also, thanks for the info. Will check it out tonight.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
How come we dont have any Uranus jokes yet?

Is Off Topic losing its edge?


Also, thanks for the info. Will check it out tonight.

because this thread is about Venus and Jupiter, not Uranus?

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: shortylickens
How come we dont have any Uranus jokes yet?

Is Off Topic losing its edge?


Also, thanks for the info. Will check it out tonight.

because this thread is about Venus and Jupiter, not Uranus?

Why does everything always have to be about Uranus? Ryan, is that you?

 

[AntisociaL]

I actually seen them last night but did not know it was Venus and Jupiter. I thought it was airplanes coming in to Chicago because they were so bright but after no movement I just figured they were stars.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: AntisociaL
I actually seen them last night but did not know it was Venus and Jupiter. I thought it was airplanes coming in to Chicago because they were so bright but after no movement I just figured they were stars.

How could you think they were stars? Do you think really bright stars just randomly appear in the sky, move around a bit and then leave?

 

[Iron Woode]

I saw that an hour ago and thought it looked rather odd.

I figured the brightest one was Venus but was unsure of the other object above it.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: AntisociaL
I actually seen them last night but did not know it was Venus and Jupiter. I thought it was airplanes coming in to Chicago because they were so bright but after no movement I just figured they were stars.

How could you think they were stars? Do you think really bright stars just randomly appear in the sky, move around a bit and then leave?

maybe cuz he isn't a super-duper astronomer dork like you?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

The sky is up there every single night. If you've lived >20years without getting a passing familiarity with the stars (especially the very bright ones) then I pity you.

 

[DVad3r]

Too bad I live in a city and can't see stars.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: AntisociaL
I actually seen them last night but did not know it was Venus and Jupiter. I thought it was airplanes coming in to Chicago because they were so bright but after no movement I just figured they were stars.

How could you think they were stars? Do you think really bright stars just randomly appear in the sky, move around a bit and then leave?

maybe cuz he isn't a super-duper astronomer dork like you?

When you stop to think about it, it's kinda pathetic that 90% plus of people can't name more than 2 things in the sky (moon & sun) - they're the same things from the time you're born until the time you die, with the occasional exception of a passing comet. Yet 1000's of years ago, Mayans, using only their naked eyes, not only had names for the things, but could actually predict things such as eclipses.

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Too bad I live in a city and can't see stars.

Too cold to go out, but I can't see anything SW from my porch.

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: AntisociaL
I actually seen them last night but did not know it was Venus and Jupiter. I thought it was airplanes coming in to Chicago because they were so bright but after no movement I just figured they were stars.

How could you think they were stars? Do you think really bright stars just randomly appear in the sky, move around a bit and then leave?

maybe cuz he isn't a super-duper astronomer dork like you?

When you stop to think about it, it's kinda pathetic that 90% plus of people can't name more than 2 things in the sky (moon & sun) - they're the same things from the time you're born until the time you die, with the occasional exception of a passing comet. Yet 1000's of years ago, Mayans, using only their naked eyes, not only had names for the things, but could actually predict things such as eclipses.

Yeah? Well the Mayans aren't doing so hot right now. Maybe they all contracted stiff necks and died off whilst endoeuropeans where still worrying about the food coming out of the ground.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
The sky is up there every single night. If you've lived >20years without getting a passing familiarity with the stars (especially the very bright ones) then I pity you.

If you've lived in the city all your life, you might be lucky to know any of them at all.

Much better view.
And Venus too

Originally posted by: DrPizza
When you stop to think about it, it's kinda pathetic that 90% plus of people can't name more than 2 things in the sky (moon & sun) - they're the same things from the time you're born until the time you die, with the occasional exception of a passing comet. Yet 1000's of years ago, Mayans, using only their naked eyes, not only had names for the things, but could actually predict things such as eclipses.

I guess it's a matter of relevance to everyday life. Now, an eclipse is something nifty to watch, but that's it. Long ago, it was probably some big religious thing. And I would still doubt that more than 10% of Mayans knew how to predict eclipses; only those who needed to know would know. Everyone else would just grow the food, and build the giant stone observatories according to simple instructions they were given.

Some might call it "pathetic" that I've never left the US. But other countries really don't have much interest to me. I can see pictures if I'm really that interested; "experiencing" a place like that really wouldn't be significant to me. And sure, there'll be people there, and they'll be slightly different than me. Woo. Hoo. They're still just more people to me; no big deal.
Hell, I live near Lake Erie, and I've never gone to the shoreline. I've seen bodies of water before, I'm quite confident that it's very much like them. Some things just aren't relevant, or of interest, to everyone.

 

[Sasiki]

It's been raining all day here and still is. Maybe I can catch it tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
The sky is up there every single night. If you've lived >20years without getting a passing familiarity with the stars (especially the very bright ones) then I pity you.

:disgust:

lol, you obviously assume everyone cares since you're obviously an enthusiast. guess what? most people don't.

 

[keird]

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
The sky is up there every single night. If you've lived >20years without getting a passing familiarity with the stars (especially the very bright ones) then I pity you.

:disgust:

lol, you obviously assume everyone cares since you're obviously an enthusiast. guess what? most people don't.

I love how astronomy can turn into a flame war on ATOT. Fvcking geeks.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: Scouzer

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
The sky is up there every single night. If you've lived >20years without getting a passing familiarity with the stars (especially the very bright ones) then I pity you.

:disgust:

lol, you obviously assume everyone cares since you're obviously an enthusiast. guess what? most people don't.

Dude, the stars in the sky are the same every night of your life. Is there anything else that you experience every single day and are still utterly clueless about? It's pathetic.

Edit - not noticing the bright planets and instead acknowledging them as stars is like not noticing a new mole on your forehead or if some ricer-ninja installed a big wing on your car.