Question for astronomers? > General Discussion

Posted: 12/21/2008 4:59:20 PM EDT

Almost straight down from Orion's belt, almost 3/4 of the way down to the horizon: it's about the brightest object in that part of the sky. It is twinkling very actively, and, to my eye, often flashing colors including red and blue.

Honestly I thought it was a plane for the longest time. Then it was there for hours. And it's there again tonight.

What am I looking at?

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:00:45 PM EDT

[#1]

the sun?

or it might be venus, or jupiter or the ISS...

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:02:28 PM EDT

[#2]

I really don't think it's a planet...I always thought that planets don't twinkle.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:07:41 PM EDT

[#3]

Venus and Jupiter are visible near the horizon about 40 minutes after sunset. But planets don't twinkle.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:09:28 PM EDT

[#4]

Betelgeuse

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:11:58 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Betelgeuse

Agreed. Just went out and looked. Betelgeuse does appear to be brighter than usual and is twinkling like hell.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:12:32 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Betelgeuse

No, it's not IN the constellation Orion but rather way down towards the horizon from it.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:13:59 PM EDT

[#7]

Sirius. Brightest star in the sky.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:17:25 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse.
Betelgeuse.

WTF? Nothing happened. Did the movie lie to me?

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:21:14 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Sirius. Brightest star in the sky.

This is the correct answer. The Dog, for which Sirius takes his name (well his eye actually), is Orion's ever faithful hunting companion.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:23:00 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Betelgeuse

No, it's not IN the constellation Orion but rather way down towards the horizon from it.

Then it is possible it is Canopus. We cant see that at this latitude, are you below 38º?

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:25:21 PM EDT

[#11]

I'm about an hour south of Tampa. I don't know much about latitudes.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:26:46 PM EDT

[#12]

Why wouldn't planets twinkle? You are observing them through the same atomosphere that you are looking at starts through and the atmosphere is what makes stars twinkle.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:28:34 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Why wouldn't planets twinkle? You are observing them through the same atomosphere that you are looking at starts through and the atmosphere is what makes stars twinkle.

Planets are just too reflective to twinkle like stars do.

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:30:12 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Almost straight down from Orion's belt, almost 3/4 of the way down to the horizon: it's about the brightest object in that part of the sky. It is twinkling very actively, and, to my eye, often flashing colors including red and blue.

Honestly I thought it was a plane for the longest time. Then it was there for hours. And it's there again tonight.

What am I looking at?

Find out for yourself:

http://www.stellarium.org/

Posted: 12/21/2008 5:38:06 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

I'm about an hour south of Tampa. I don't know much about latitudes.

Tampa, Florida? Your state says KY.

Posted: 12/21/2008 6:06:05 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Find out for yourself:

http://www.stellarium.org/

It's Sirius. Great program, thanks!

Posted: 12/21/2008 6:09:56 PM EDT

[#17]

just got back from walking the dogs (coincidentially)

it's Sirius, and yeah, it's pretty bright tonight

Posted: 12/21/2008 6:15:18 PM EDT

[#18]

Sirius, the Dog Star, Alpha Canis Majoris. Brightest star in the sky. Turbulence in the air causes it to twinkle. Planets don't twinkle because they have size, stars are just points of light, more easily refracted by the turbulence in the air.

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