James Webb Space Telescope

[CaaC (John)+]

[nudge]

In all seriousness though I saw Mars a few hours ago from my balcony, almost overhead. It's very bright as it's currently still almost at its closest distance to us. Jupiter is very bright currently as well and should be easily spotted as it's right next to the Moon, but unfortunately for me, it's below the horizon already.

[Tommy]

2 minutes ago, nudge said:

In all seriousness though I saw Mars a few hours ago from my balcony, almost overhead. It's very bright as it's currently still almost at its closest distance to us. Jupiter is very bright currently as well and should be easily spotted as it's right next to the Moon, but unfortunately for me, it's below the horizon already.

Apparently Mars is still visible here until 06:51 next morning. I'll have to take a look on my last walk later.

[nudge]

Just now, Tommy said:

Apparently Mars is still visible here until 06:51 next morning. I'll have to take a look on my last walk later.

It's unmistakable, very bright reddish glow, easily brighter than most of the stars. Been like that this whole month, more or less! 

[Tommy]

Just now, nudge said:

It's unmistakable, very bright reddish glow, easily brighter than most of the stars. Been like that this whole month, more or less! 

Why has no one told me that before? 

Anyway, I found this. Pretty cool: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/

[CaaC (John)+]

37 minutes ago, nudge said:

In all seriousness though I saw Mars a few hours ago from my balcony, almost overhead. It's very bright as it's currently still almost at its closest distance to us. Jupiter is very bright currently as well and should be easily spotted as it's right next to the Moon, but unfortunately for me, it's below the horizon already.

That Stellarium photo is my location right now but it's cloudy outside so Mars is not visible, Mars is there beside the Aldebaran star in the zodiac constellation which you would know about anyway.

Edited December 29, 2022 by CaaC (John)
Spelling check

[CaaC (John)+]

6 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Why has no one told me that before? 

Anyway, I found this. Pretty cool: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/

Erm...cough, cough, that's the one I have posted for the smelly feet man above 

[nudge]

1 minute ago, Tommy said:

Why has no one told me that before? 

Anyway, I found this. Pretty cool: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/

 I'll make sure to tell you next time  

And yeah, that site is pretty cool. I use Nightshift app on my phone, and it tells me exactly which planets (and other objects) are visible at what time, and also takes weather conditions and cloud cover into account. 

This site is also good for daily info on what is visible and where to look: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/

Same with this: https://theskylive.com/

But nothing beats Stellarium app for me. Just point it at the sky, and it will tell you immediately what you are looking at... Very good for learning the night sky.

[Tommy]

7 minutes ago, nudge said:

 I'll make sure to tell you next time  

And yeah, that site is pretty cool. I use Nightshift app on my phone, and it tells me exactly which planets (and other objects) are visible at what time, and also takes weather conditions and cloud cover into account. 

This site is also good for daily info on what is visible and where to look: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/

Same with this: https://theskylive.com/

But nothing beats Stellarium app for me. Just point it at the sky, and it will tell you immediately what you are looking at... Very good for learning the night sky.

Are those apps free? I see there's one Stellarium App for 16.99 €. 

[CaaC (John)+]

Just now, nudge said:

But nothing beats Stellarium app for me. Just point it at the sky, and it will tell you immediately what you are looking at... Very good for learning the night sky.

It's great for me since you put me onto it, you can even see Starlinks creeping along outer space like this one I have just spotted, Starlink 2148

STARLINK-2148 - In-The-Sky.org

[Tommy]

Whoa, got the Stellarium app. When I opened it, I was sitting in my chair like: 

[CaaC (John)+]

2 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Are those apps free? I see there's one Stellarium App for 16.99 €. 

@nudge gave me the link and it cost nothing.

[nudge]

3 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Are those apps free? I see there's one Stellarium App for 16.99 €. 

You don't need the pro version, it's mostly for those who use telescopes as it has features for controlling telescopes and planning observing sessions, etc. The free version is more than enough, just search for Stellarium Mobile - Star Map: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noctuasoftware.stellarium_free&hl=en_US&gl=US

Nightshift is free, too: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waddensky.nightshift&hl=en_US&gl=US

[nudge]

6 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Whoa, got the Stellarium app. When I opened it, I was sitting in my chair like: 

Make sure that you go into Settings (the six dots at the bottom left) and activate sensors, so that the view of the sky changes live as you move your phone! And don't forget activating the night mode in the same settings, too  

[Tommy]

2 minutes ago, nudge said:

You don't need the pro version, it's mostly for those who use telescopes as it has features for controlling telescopes and planning observing sessions, etc. The free version is more than enough, just search for Stellarium Mobile - Star Map: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noctuasoftware.stellarium_free&hl=en_US&gl=US

Nightshift is free, too: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waddensky.nightshift&hl=en_US&gl=US

Cheers, got both of them now. When I first entered Nightshift in the Playstore, it gave me a Sleeping Monitor App as the first option. 

[nudge]

6 minutes ago, CaaC (John) said:

@nudge gave me the link and it cost nothing.

That's the web version, I meant the app for the phone though! 

[CaaC (John)+]

7 minutes ago, nudge said:

That's the web version, I meant the app for the phone though! 

I've got that one on my phone too.

[Tommy]

Just been to the shops and used the Stellarium App on the way. I fucking saw Jupiter and Mars. This has literally been eye opening. 

[nudge]

5 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Just been to the shops and used the Stellarium App on the way. I fucking saw Jupiter and Mars. This has literally been eye opening. 

Amazing, isn't it? It should be one of those apps that are pre-installed in every phone by default  

[Tommy]

Just now, nudge said:

Amazing, isn't it? It should be one of those apps that are pre-installed in every phone by default  

And Jupiter was right next to the moon. My oblivious ass probably saw it before and was just wondering about that bright star. 

[Devil]

19 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Just been to the shops and used the Stellarium App on the way. I fucking saw Jupiter and Mars. This has literally been eye opening. 

Just downloaded the app based on this post, my neighbours must think I'm insane. I've just been walking in circles with my phone in the air.

I could see Mars but there is cloud coverage next to the moon so couldn't see Jupiter.

[Tommy]

3 minutes ago, Devil said:

my neighbours must think I'm insane.

Imagine they start fighting with each other over it, and the police has to come again. 

[nudge]

27 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Just been to the shops and used the Stellarium App on the way. I fucking saw Jupiter and Mars. This has literally been eye opening. 

One of my near future goals is to get a telescope again, bring it out on the street, and show the kids and other passers-by the beauty of the universe. As you said, it is truly eye (and mind) opening...

[Devil]

7 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Imagine they start fighting with each other over it, and the police has to come again. 

I will keep you posted, I've got the blinds semi closed and I've purchased some binoculars as I read somewhere there essential for being a nosey neighbour.

[nudge]

1 minute ago, Devil said:

I will keep you posted, I've got the blinds semi closed and I've purchased some binoculars as I read somewhere there essential for being a nosey neighbour.

In all seriousness, I do use binoculars for stargazing, and it's even more eye opening, but I always feel a bit uneasy if I do that somewhere where there are other houses/apartments around