Venus

[Eric Mc]

Anyone been watching the planet Venus these last few evenings. It has been absolutely brilliant in the evening sky. I had a look through my binoculars last night and the crescent shape was very obvious. It actually reached its brightest a week or so ago but it still looks really bright for the next week and a bit. It's currently 37 million miles away.

[scared but happy]

My astronomy is zero. What direction/height etc. ta

[Wacky Racer]

Eric Mc said:

Anyone been watching the planet Venus these last few evenings. It has been absolutely brilliant in the evening sky. I had a look through my binoculars last night and the crescent shape was very obvious. It actually reached its brightest a week or so ago but it still looks really bright for the next week and a bit. It's currently 37 million miles away.

Be careful................

http://theavengers.tv/forever/peel2-1.htm

[Eric Mc]

Ignoring Wacky for the moment , Venus is following the sun as it sets in the south west. Look to the south west RIGHT NOW (clouds permitting, of course) and you will see it.

On the subject of The Avengers, I'd watch Diana Rigg ANY time - even if it did make me go blind.

[Graham.J]

O/T slightly: I remember reading there was an expected meteor shower coming up very soon (may have passed) does anyone know when it is/was?

[Nicol@]

It is raining here, although I did spot it the other night.

[puggit]

Graham.J said:

O/T slightly: I remember reading there was an expected meteor shower coming up very soon (may have passed) does anyone know when it is/was?

Its the Geminid Shower - Clicky

[Graham.J]

puggit said:

Its the Geminid Shower - Clicky

Bugger, missed it

Thanks though

[john75]

So glad it was Venus and not Uranus I was supposed to be looking for.

[Eric Mc]

You need a special instrument to see Uranus.

[Frik]

Eric Mc said:

You need a special instrument to see Uranus.

Too dark to see normally.

[Balmoral Green]

Eric Mc said:

You need a special instrument to see Uranus.

Would that be a 'telescope' then? Some of us do have a rudimentary grasp, although that may be hard to believe amongst all the 'X factor/Space Cadets' posts

[Eric Mc]

Balmoral Green - yes, I was referring to a telescope, not an endescope

Uranus was the first planet to be discovered in "modern" times. It was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel from his garden in Bath using a home made reflector telescope.

[ali_kat]

Eric Mc said:

You need a special instrument to see Uranus.

A mirror.......?

[vixpy1]

ali_kat said:

Eric Mc said: You need a special instrument to see Uranus. A mirror.......?

A webcam ?

[simpo two]

Venus: a bright spot that comes and goes in an entirely predicable manner. Sorry, but I don't get the fascination.

[ali_kat]

vixpy1 said:

ali_kat said: Eric Mc said: You need a special instrument to see Uranus. A mirror.......? A webcam ?

For Uranus?

[vixpy1]

ali_kat said:

vixpy1 said: ali_kat said: Eric Mc said: You need a special instrument to see Uranus. A mirror.......? A webcam ? For Uranus?

Hey.. whatever does it for you..

[ali_kat]

Well, it's not seeing stars, that for sure, te earth moving, now that's a different matter

[wedg1e]

I looked to the southwest.... and all I saw was a f-off great sign saying 'Opening soon.... another Mcshitalds'...