Question about object in sky (planet or star)

[fffizzz]

I live in south florida, and every morning when I leave my house for the gym around 5:45, I notice a start/planet/object that is 10x brighter than any other star in the night sky. The object is due east, northeast and around 5:45 id say about a 30% angle. This object does not twinkle or anything, just very bright. In fact its so bright, it can be seen while the sun is coming up in the morning around 7ish.. From my estimates, its comes above the horizon around 4am or so.

Please be gentle, im complete newb to this stuff, but its is seriously interesting to me, and Im always hunting to learn more.

Any idea what this object is? I probably didnt give enough info, but I tried..

[Tucson_Tim]

Venus.

And welcome to the forum.

[fffizzz]

Thanks, I plan on doing a lot of reading on here. I was thinking it might be venus but had no idea that it was that damn bright

[Tucson_Tim]

Another rare sight (for us in the northern latitudes) is the star Canopus, low on the SE horizon just before dawn. I can see it very clearly around 5:45 AM local time.

[Tucson_Tim]

Saturn is also visible, close to the star Regulus, just before dawn. It is lower in the sky, beneath Venus.

[Tucson_Tim]

Take a look at Dave Mitsky's sky calender:

http://www.bautforum.com/astronomica...ocalendar.html

There are also other websites with good observing data. Here is the Sky and Telescope "Sky at a Glance" page. Scroll to the bottom for a summary of planet locations

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance

[fffizzz]

wow, thanks for all the info. I had no idea those were all visible via just the naked eye..

[Tucson_Tim]

Give this a try on Saturday evening just after sunset. (Info from the Sky and Telescope website)

============================

Saturday, September 29

Mercury is at greatest elongation, 26° from of the Sun very low in the sunset glow. Look for it far to the lower right of bright Jupiter, and far lower left of Arcturus.

[Tucson_Tim]

wow, thanks for all the info. I had no idea those were all visible via just the naked eye..

All the planets out to Uranus are naked-eye objects, although Uranus is mag-6 and you need a very clear, dark sky and star charts to see it. I've never seen Uranus without binoculars.

[fffizzz]

This stuff blows my mind.. I'm not sure what triggered it but about 4-6 months ago I suddenly had a strong urge to learn more about "space". I watched every episode of the universe on the history channel which I believe just made my hunger for knowledge grow. Its very exciting to see where we have come, and what we know about whats out there. It was be exciting to see what data comes from the dawn project.

I heard they launched a new rover like machine to mars to dig through the Martian ice to look for water and life.. It will be extremely interesting to see what turns up from that. I for one don't believe for a second that were alone in the universe. We likely have some form of life in our own solar system although it likely isn't "intelligent" life.

Kinda got off subject, but that's where my mind is right now.

edit: i noticed on telescope.com the winner of first price (the amazing photo of saturn), lives in my city.. what are the odds? lol

[KaiYeves]

Welcome! And that's yur-in-is. Yes, Venus is that bloody bright.

[Kaptain K]

Accent on the first sylabobble.

[KaiYeves]

Accent on the first sylabobble

In "bloody"?

[Kaptain K]

[RickJ]

Another rare sight (for us in the northern latitudes) is the star Canopus, low on the SE horizon just before dawn. I can see it very clearly around 5:45 AM local time.

But only for those living below 37 degrees north latitude. For me here in Minnesota it always at least 10 degrees below the horizon even when on the meridian. At almost -53 degrees declination only those south of 37 degrees north latitude have a chance to see it and for those near 37 degrees north it would be visible only for a short period when very near the meridian and then only on a super clear night with a perfect horizon. But being the second brightest star in the night sky is a big help! It is nearly due south from Sirius so the best time to look for it at high latitudes is when Sirius is due south.

Rick

[Tucson_Tim]

But only for those living below 37 degrees north latitude.
Rick

Of course. The reason I mentioned Canopus to him is because he lives in southern Florida.

[RickJ]

Of course. The reason I mentioned Canopus to him is because he lives in southern Florida.

For folks like my neighbor who are just learning the sky I thought I'd add it. He reads these now that I'm posting here and emailed me that he looked for "that star" and couldn't find it. After a couple emails I finally figured out what he was talking about. I figured other beginners might have the same problem.

When I went to the cape to watch the second shuttle go up we got there about 3 a.m. Orion was high in the south with Sirius. I was astonished by how high they were in the sky compared to what I was used to. But what was that brilliant star below Sirius. I was sure I'd be reading about a nova when I got home. While Sirius was high my mind couldn't conceive that my southern horizon was too high to see that star. Seemed the distance between it and Sirius was far smaller than the distance from Sirius to my horizon. Must be another twist to the big full moon rising illusion.

To add insult the shuttle got to T-31 seconds and not counting when a computer hand over didn't hand over. The plane we rented from the state was needed by the Governor the next day so we couldn't stay for another try and had to head home. Still haven't seen a launch. But I did see Canopus.

Rick