strange light in the sky?

[brandy]

hiya guys,
we saw a strange light in the sky tonight.. i live in pultney and in the sky, a star like light but you could see it flicker and fade.. and move then come back.. stayed mainly stationary.. but it was odd.. like a starburst in shape.. larger than a star.. with teh starburst spikes coming from it.. i called my mate who lives a street over.. asked her if she could see.. just to make sure i wasnt delusional.. any one else see it?

[Jeemag_USA]

What direction was it in, it could actually be Venus, at certain times of the year and at certain times of night especially dusk it can be pretty radiant. As it shines it can give off the appearance of moving slightly and sometimes looks like its glowing red, white, green.

[brandy]

i think it was westerly.. but not a 100 % on that.. but you cant see it now.. its gone.

[DeHaviLand]

It was probably the space station Mir. Its been visible in the west for a few weeks now. Looks spectacular through binoculars.

[Jeemag_USA]

i think it was westerly.. but not a 100 % on that.. but you cant see it now.. its gone.

I think it was Venus, it takes on quite an appearance as the dusk rolls in, but when it gets dark you don't notice it, I think it has to do with the sun going down, not really sure. But I remember many times thinking I was seeing something out of the ordinary and then someone explained to me it was Venus. Not sure about the position, but I remember one time in midsummer seeing it from Naver Field and I woudl have been looking south west at it, but by that month of course it would be in a different position.

[brandy]

any one have any pics of it?
i thought that mir had broken up and fell to earth?

[brandy]

but this wasnt at dush it was almost 11 pm at night.. so very full dark.. it was very bright and almost looked like it had colors in it.. you know how you squint and can see the blues and reds.. wish i had taken a pic darn it!

[DeHaviLand]

see, I'm way out of date. Its the International Space Station.Mir no longer exists.

[DeHaviLand]

See here for possible sighting times. http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_Kingdom&region=Scotland&city=Inverness

[DeHaviLand]

Ok Brandy, now you got me doing my homework. ISS is not visible just now, and just had a look out to the west. That has to be Venus. Wish I had looked first.

[Rheghead]

hiya guys,
we saw a strange light in the sky tonight..

OK, you get the myrrh, I've got a gold coin and a wee frankenstein toy, the next time you see it, give me a pm.

Hmm, what would be the modern day appropriate gifts? A PS3?

[the nomad]

hiya guys,
we saw a strange light in the sky tonight.. i live in pultney and in the sky, a star like light but you could see it flicker and fade.. and move then come back.. stayed mainly stationary.. but it was odd.. like a starburst in shape.. larger than a star.. with teh starburst spikes coming from it.. i called my mate who lives a street over.. asked her if she could see.. just to make sure i wasnt delusional.. any one else see it?
I could also see it down here in Inverness, it seemed very low in the sky and very bright.

[Ricco]

OK, you get the myrrh, I've got a gold coin and a wee frankenstein toy, the next time you see it, give me a pm.

Hmm, what would be the modern day appropriate gifts? A PS3?

Excellent, Rheghead. Love that idea.;)

[brokencross]

Venus is a "morning star" this time of year. Jupiter is in the West and bright so assuming what you saw is a planet, Jupiter is my bet. If it is a star it will probably be Sirius, the three stars in the belt of Orion point to it.

[RIR]

From the BBC Science & Nature: Space website http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/myspace/nightsky/observingnotes.shtml

"........Venus this month, as it hangs high in the west during dusk. Its bright white clouds reflect around 75% of the sunlight that hits them, making this an incredibly brilliant object when it, the Sun and Earth are in the right place – as they are now."


Cheers

Ian.

[brokencross]

I stand corrected regards Venus, however it wouldn't be Venus at 2300

[George Brims]

Venus is still up at 2300 as viewed from Wick. It sets at about 00:08 in the morning.

Here's a grand wee program (the latest version requires your version of Java is up to date).

http://www.skyviewcafe.com/skyview.php?version=4