OT satelite???

[George Willer]

Here in the eastern time zone (at 7:15 eastern) there is a very bright object in the SSW sky, about 20 degrees above the horizon. Does anyone know if it is a geosynchronous satelite? It's new to me, and is the only thing visible besides the moon. I've enjoyed finding satelites illuminated by the setting sun, but haven't ever seen a stationary one like this.

[Bob McCarty]

My sources say that it's BigDog's new space based Cub locator. Wrapping your Cubs in aluminum foil won't help.

[Mac from NS]

I seen something real low in the sky about two weeks ago that was shining brighter then most everthing else. It was about WSW from me.

[Kodiak]

George,
It can't be a geosynchronous satellite, they are all located over the equator. It might be a elleptical orbiting satellite, it would be moving really slowly and take some time to move through it's orbit. It probably is Venus which appears as the evening star. There are a couple of other planets but I can't seem to think of which ones they are right now.
George if you like space related stuff take a look at this page: http://science.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/ I know your on a dial up like me so be careful with that J-track 3-D one! It's great but it's a very large file but does some very interesting things.

Ron W.

[Lurker Carl]

I noticed it up in NY at miniCubfest, in the western sky but not exactly sure where due west was. So I figured Venus was mighty bright away from the air and light pollution I am used to.

[Don McCombs]

I think you're right, Carl. I think it's Venus.

[Lurker Carl]

I think it's Venus. I saw it tonight, low in the western sky, bright as can be with the full moon rising in the east. Venus must be close to us and in it's full phase. I'd get out the telescope but it's too low in the sky to see it here at the house.

[Don McCombs]

It's definitely Venus. I just walked down to the dock and looked at it with binoculars. Mars is rising in the east right now and is almost equally as bright.

[George Willer]

It's definitely Venus. I just walked down to the dock and looked at it with binoculars. Mars is rising in the east right now and is almost equally as bright.

Thanks, Don, Ron, and Carl. You're probably right. It seemed quite a bit too south (as seen from here) to be on the ecliptic... far enough south to possibly be over the equator. It's apparent brightness is greater than Mars was at its' closest in August.

I've been watching Mars for several months, and I'm trying to predict its' path by casual observation. For a while I thought it was losing pace against a nearby landmark the "seven sisters" constellation, but now it appears to to be gaining. Observing the night sky is a side benefit of walking the dog.

[Rudi]

George:

Pretty awesome isn't it, especially if you are lucky enough to live in an area that has little to no light pollution.

It is a real eye opener. If I got into town, about a 5 minute drive westward, I lose most of my nighttime stargazing -- all to light pollution, but around the house -- well it is just majestic... pitch dark, especially behind the house now that I have removed the two night lights we used to have for insurance purposes....

In the summer, and even the fall especially during the Leonids we will take our chairs or even a blanket, go out behind the house and watch the stars and the meteorites... awesome.

Very nice as well to see the ISS which we do occassionally. We even got to see MIR before it did it's Swan Lake a few years ago. The last high earth orbit passed directly over our house Awesome experience.....