[Jay-qu]

Once I had the approximate dates I couldnt think of any holidays.. so I had to look them up, and I hadnt heard of them but they are there

[Hill]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

Have any of you northern hemispherians been looking out for comet Holmes? It coma has been mysteriously expanding and now its so big its about the same angular size as jupiter so go and have a look tonight, you dont even need binoculars, though they will help It is currently in the constellation of Perseus.

I went out tonight and saw it as soon as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. There are a bunch of good pics at SkyandTelescope.com - Sky Events - Comet Holmes

[Turtle]

I went out and shot a bit of video. The Moon's now on the rise below the comet and clouds are moving in. 12:40 am my time

YouTube - Comet 17P/Holmes

[Turtle]

What's up Holmes? Comet 17P/Holes that is. I took a still from the video and ramped up the brightness & contrast a bit.

On an operational note, I have resolved to save for a good tripod; anything less is a major detriment to astrovideography. No matter how carefully I adjust the tensions, the cheap model I have creeks, sqwawks, jerks, lurches, locks, and in any and every way hinders good results.

Any of you others out there in the virtual world have any practical experience with astrovideography to share?

[orbsycli]

I'm pretty sure I asked this last year....
but is that bright orange planet that rises in the East and is significantly brighter than everything else Mars?

What's the second brightest planet?

I'm trying to map out everything in my mind...my memory sucks...thanks...

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by orbsycli

I'm pretty sure I asked this last year....
but is that bright orange planet that rises in the East and is significantly brighter than everything else Mars?

What's the second brightest planet?

I'm trying to map out everything in my mind...my memory sucks...thanks...

What time does it rise? (You're still West Coast, yes/no?) I think Mars is rising around 10:00pm PDT.

On a mind map tangent, all the planets rise in the ~East and set in the ~West. While brightness of the planets varies, Venus pretty much rules that category. That said, we also have some bright stars along the ecliptic, which is the imaginary line through the plane of the solar system and along which the planets and Zodiac constellations appear to 'travel' through our night skies. In the West, the star Aldebaran in the Constellation Taurus rises around 7:00pm for example.

I use some sky software that came with my roomies telescope, but there must be something similar free online. Any of you other skywatchers have a line on that?

[orbsycli]

is venus around midnight? there's one planet that just stands out. I can never tell the difference unless it's sunrise venus.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by orbsycli

is venus around midnight? there's one planet that just stands out. I can never tell the difference unless it's sunrise venus.

Venus is never around midnight; either before Sunrise and colloquially mis-called the "The Morning Star', or just after Sunset and colloquially mis-called the 'The Evening Star'.

Here's a list of some 'skyware', with a few you can download free. I have 'Starry Night'.

Planetarium Software

[orbsycli]

cool. so it is mars. i'll check out that program. thanks shelly.

[Hyba]

I crossed the Australian Nullabour Plains in a car (with a tent) and camping in stop off's - coming from Europe I didn't understand what 'light pollution' meant. Anyone who lives near cities go into the middle of nowhere, and see the wonder right above you at night, I was absolutely gobsmacked - stunning and imprinted on my mind forever.