Bright star looking south east
Discussion
Easiest way to tell whether it's a planet or not is stars twinkle, planets shine steadily.
Stars always twinkle because they’re so far away from Earth, even through large telescopes they appear only as pinpoints. And it’s easy for the Earth’s atmosphere to disturb the pinpoint light of a star.
Stars always twinkle because they’re so far away from Earth, even through large telescopes they appear only as pinpoints. And it’s easy for the Earth’s atmosphere to disturb the pinpoint light of a star.
TheTurbonator said:
Easiest way to tell whether it's a planet or not is stars twinkle, planets shine steadily.
Stars always twinkle because they’re so far away from Earth, even through large telescopes they appear only as pinpoints. And it’s easy for the Earth’s atmosphere to disturb the pinpoint light of a star.
Twinkling or not twinkling is not really a very clear way of verifying whether what you are looking at is a star or planet. Stars always twinkle because they’re so far away from Earth, even through large telescopes they appear only as pinpoints. And it’s easy for the Earth’s atmosphere to disturb the pinpoint light of a star.
Twinkling is not a function of the object's distance from, Earth. It is caused by turbulence in our atmosphere and the extent of twinkling will be very much dependent on how turbulent the atmosphere is at any given time. Also, twinkling is more pronounced closer to the horizon due to the fact that you are looking at more atmosphere as you look towards the horizon compared to overhead.
On a very clear, still night, neither planets nor stars will twinkle. On a very turbulent night, both planets and stars will twinkle.
The best way to verify whether you are looking at a planet or star is -
Check with a night sky chart
This is now very easy to do due to easy access to on-line charts. You can even use your mobile phone for this type of check these days.
Nightly observation
A planet will move its position amongst the stars from night to night. The word "planet" comes from the Greek word "planetes", which means "wanderer". Planets move between the stars. The stars are relatively "fixed".
Use a pair of Binoculars or Telescope
If you have access to either, take a look at the object. A planet will show a disc or even phases (Venus and Mercury especially). A star only ever shows a distinct point of light.
If you look at the night sky often enough, you will become familiar with the various star patterns (even if you don't know all their names). Any planet "wandering" across the sky will become fairly obvious.
Notice how I said "easiest" and included it so I wasn't making a statement of actual fact? For the everyday layman looking up and for those who are a little curious of what they're looking at, then it's probably accurate to use in 90% of cases.
However if you want to be very exact then yes, of course you're right and like the methods you've listed there are much better and more accurate ways of being 100% correct when identifying whether it's a star or planet.
I should have known better and expanded my post, I am in the Science! part of the forum
However if you want to be very exact then yes, of course you're right and like the methods you've listed there are much better and more accurate ways of being 100% correct when identifying whether it's a star or planet.
I should have known better and expanded my post, I am in the Science! part of the forum
Edited by TheTurbonator on Tuesday 18th September 17:17
Happy82 said:
OP: If you have a smartphone, download GoogleSkymap as it'll tell you what you're looking at
I use the star walk app on my I phone which is produced by the e.s.a Comes in handy when gazing at stars and satelites and the like whilst night fishing,
Best app I have downloaded and great for a novice astronomer like me,
I was going to ask the same question. Have a rough idea of what's where in the night sky, so initial thought was Jupiter, but it just seemed too large and too bright. Does being low in the sky make it appear brighter somehow - similar sort of effect you sometimes get with the Moon?
Edited by hornet on Thursday 20th September 16:19
Because a planet doesn't really show a perceptible disc to the naked eye - I wouldn't think that there is a Jupiter or Venus Illusion the way there is a Moon Illusion.
In fact, because the light would be coming through more atmosphere, I would expect the light to be dimmer - not brighter.
Maybe people just notice things that are directly ahead of them in their line of sight - as opposed to stuff that is almost directly above their heads.
In fact, because the light would be coming through more atmosphere, I would expect the light to be dimmer - not brighter.
Maybe people just notice things that are directly ahead of them in their line of sight - as opposed to stuff that is almost directly above their heads.
Eric Mc said:
Maybe people just notice things that are directly ahead of them in their line of sight - as opposed to stuff that is almost directly above their heads.
Could well just be that, it just seemed much brighter than usual, almost like an oncoming plane might look. A case of "same light reaching the Earth, just a greater percentage of that hitting my eye"?Either that or it's Nibiru and we're all doomed
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