venus

elainefullmoon

hi im new here so excited when i seen venus for the first time through the telescope my very first planet cant wait to see more planets are learn all about them wish i done this years ago

kensamay

Hi elainefullmoon

& welcome lets hope for many clear skies :)

elainefullmoon

thanks its very interesting hearing what other people have seen cant wait to see more and yes clear nights would be a bonus think its been cloudy every night since i got my telescope so fingers crossed.

karl

Hi elainefullmoon and welcome.
just wait to you see jupiter and her moons for the first time it will take your breath away it did me and still does.
karl

Stephen

hi elainefullmoon. welcome. when you see saturn and its rings you will be so impressed! saturn is at opposition on the 15th april so i hope you get clear skies to catch a glimpse of it.

Shirley

I have been loaned an astrology telescope but I can`t for the life of me get a star/planet in the site. Has anyone any tips for me please?

ragwert

Hi Shirley. Wellcome.
I dont know what a astrology telescope is, do you mean astronomy telescope.
Colin

John_Brady

Best thing to start with Shirley is the Moon, although as of today the 19th April its a new Moon so you won't see it. Wait a few days and take a look

elainefullmoon

i was looking for saturn on the 15th april and i seen a really bright star on the east but it was really strange it started moving but very quick and then dissapereared behind a cloud but it never fell like a shooting star it just went straight along like a plane but it was def a star what do you think i could have been

Stephen

if it was moving you probably seen a satellite. they are always passing over your head even if you cant see them. or the clouds can play tricks on your eyes if they are moving quickly giving the apperance the star is moving. saturn is due south in virgo to the left of the star spica. its pretty low on the horizon. did you get to see it elaine?

John_Brady

That sounds a lot like it could have been the International Space Station Elaine.

Curious

Hi, can anyone enlighten me??
I don't have any 'viewing equipment' other than my natural-born, twin hazel ones, albeit aided by a pair of varifocals(!) so I really need help from someone equipped and knowledgeable!
High in the sky at about 2.15am today (23 April 2012) I have been watching a bright yellow 'star'(?) that seemed, periodically, also to glow red. In addition, there seemed to be small, brilliant white 'lights' twinkling around it, almost as if some smaller star was in very very fast rotation around the original, catching the light occasionally as it went. A fascinating sight, and I'm desperate to know what I'm seeing.
From a quick Google just now, the bright yellow object I'm seeing could be Venus? But what about the occasional red glow and what are the smaller, whiter, objects?
If it helps, I'm located in W Yorkshire, and "The Plough' is currently almost directly above my home, in a beautiful clear sky.

elainefullmoon

thanks for the information i have not seen saturn yet im still trying to get use to my telescope think i need a lot of practise but i will get there, i would like to learn more about the international space station.

elainefullmoon

what would be the best tablet to get for the sky map i have been thinking about an ipad or galaxy android not too sure or if there is another one anyone knows about thanks )

grahamxx

Hi Elaine

I have an iPad 2 and I use an App called Star Walk. It is really brilliant. I have a GOTO telescope but in actual fact by using Star Walk I can find things without using the auto GOTO.. You can even fast forward the clock and calendar to see what is in what position in the future. There is also a small amount of information about each star and objects including the man made ones whizzing around up there.

It costs £2.99 once you have the iPad. O'h its also got night vision function so you don't spoil your vision. I would recommend it to you, don't think you will be disappointed although the iPad is not cheap.

Hope that helps

Graham

elainefullmoon

thanks for that i will look more into it sound great i def need something to keep me right im just trying to get use to where planets are but it would be better if i knew exactly what i was looking at

Stephen

you could always download stellarium, it is free planetarium software for your computer.

elainefullmoon

thanks ill try that out for just now

grahamxx

Elaine, to elaborate.
I find that with the features on Star walk I am able to see what the whole sky will be like in say 3 hours from now. Which means you can plan what you want to see in advance. Then when you hit the cold night air you are prepared for things. It's cool when you already have a good idea what is where before you head outside. I find it more rewarding to work out for myself what is what. My telescope does have GOTO on but I find I use it less and less.
Just downloading Stephens suggestion of Stellarium which will be interesting.

elainefullmoon

thanks ill try it on my mums ipad first before i think about getting one and i have also dowloaded stellarium but not used it yet it has been really cloudy the last few nights so hopefully we will get clear nights again soon B-)

grahamxx

Just been looking at Stellarium on Mac. Its is very good. Many of the features are on Star walk but not all.

John_Brady

Yes Stellarium is very good and very popular. Not tried Star Walk yet though, now have an iMac instead of windows pc so it will be on my list of things to try out.

lizhughes

Hi Graham
This is the first time I've posted on here and I'm also very new to using a telescope. I've just bought this app on your recommendation and it really does look very good - averages four * consumer rating. So all I need now is a clear night...

grahamxx

Hi Lizhughes

Welcome to you. I also am quite new here. I have to say I have found everybody so helpful. I saw on another post you have a star watcher. Which model is it? If we know the model we should be able to help you better.

Clear nights seem very rare at the moment lol

Graham

lizhughes

Hi Graham, I'm not sure which model it is - the only info I can find printed on it is: D=130mm F=900mm. Looking at the instructions I think it's a reflector. We put it together Ok but I could do with someone around who understands it to explain how to get the best out of it.

grahamxx

Hi Lizhughes
It is going to be hard to guide you if we don't know what model it is. Is it an automatic GOTO with a handset that will let you program in what star you want to look at. If you have the instructions it will most likely tell you on the front what model it is. Did you buy it from a retailer, most will be happy to help you set it up.

If you look on the internet there are many astronomy clubs you could go along to. Most would be happy to help.

lizhughes

'Paul' on the telescope section of this site tells me that from the info I've given it's a Starwatcher 130. He has directed me to some very helpful stuff including a YouTube video on setting up. Unfortunately the book that came with the scope gives 4 pictures but no useful things like the names of the scopes, and the shop where I bought it specialises in digital photography and the staff don' t appear to know anything about this, though they are brilliant with cameras and so on! Well, thank goodness for this excellent site and all the nice helpful people on it!
Happy sky watching
Liz

lizhughes

Oops, I meant Skywatcher not Starwatcher- Liz

Eyestotheskies

Venus is going out of sight soon, sigh!

Such a great naked eye planet lately

lizhughes

It's been so amazing seeing Venus, sad that she's going out of sight :(

John_Brady

Venus will be back from mid to late June rising in the north-east with Jupiter before sunrise, although will be in the very early hours at first.

Venus and Jupiter will eventually be shining in the early morning sky in the east during late summer.

Stephen

anybody going to watch the transit? if its clear of course.

lizhughes

I'd really like to see it, have been reading about it. Not quite clear about how to look at the sun without eye damage now that we don't have photographic negatives to look through.

John_Brady

The last part of the Venus transit will be visible in the UK as the Sun rises from the NE on the 6th of June, from around 4.45 am to 5.30am. So a clear horizon will be needed.

Do not look directly at the Sun, or use any kind of optical aid not designed for solar viewing. Here are some safe ways to view the transit http://www.transitofvenus.org/june2012/eye-safety/281-six-ways-to-see-the-transit-of-venus

Stephen

yeah i am looking at some shade 14 welders glass on the net. seen it on a horizon program a month ago or so.

John_Brady

Horizon, 'The Transit of Venus' BBC2, the 5th of June at 9 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01jszy4

Stephen

thanks for that betelgeuse! hope im not working.

elainefullmoon

had to watch the transit through nassa web cam but brilliant B-)

John_Brady

Love this transit video on my article http://astronomycentral.co.uk/the-venus-transit-2012 Well that's it for 105 years :-)

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