Sunrise with Venus
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Venus can be seen rising in the southeastern sky passing from Scorpius (the Scorpion), through the constellation Ophiuchus (the Serpent-Bearer), into Sagittarius (the Archer). Venus shines brightly as the “Morning Star” all month. Venus is visible for about 3 hours moving high in the eastern sky before dawn. Venus looks like a very bright white star.
-Sky News
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 8:43:00 PM CST
Before it was understood that there were stars (fixed) and planets (moving) Venus was known as both the Evening Star and Morning Star (assumed, incorrectly, to be two different stars that appeared at different times).
I wish I could figure out which one was Venus. I guess if I spent more time star-gazing, it wouldn't be a problem. Due to living in the heart of the big city, there are few nights that are even "decent" for viewing the cosmos.
If I lived out in a smaller community, I'd definitely spend a few hundred bucks and get a pretty good telescope. I've thought about doing it anyway, but I just don't think I'd use it enough to make it worthwhile and I don't want to get really cheap one.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 9:24:00 PM CST
Evo, I know what you mean. Even though I live in the suburbs, there's enough light pollution that I rarely see the stars themselves.
I asked for a set of cheap binoculars for Christmas and used them to look at "Venus" this morning. It looked more like a small cluster of stars than a planet, but I'm wondering if that's the binoculars themselves not adjusting correctly. It was in the right position in the sky and clearly visible at sunrise, so I'm going to stick with my guess.
I'm hoping for some clear nights soon and warmer weather so I can try more than just cursory viewing.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 10:13:00 PM CST
I drove up to Reno last summer and took the "back way" up 395 past Mammoth and Yosemite. When you get up in the Inyo forest, it's very dark. Unfortunately, it was a full moon that night. Even with that obstacle, it was still 3 or 4 times as clear as the best night in Los Angeles.
I stopped my car at about midnight, got out and climbed up on the roof and laid down. What an incredible vista! I was entranced and just lay there for about a half hour. If I lived up there, I'd have my telescope!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 11:39:00 PM CST
beautiful photographs as usual! Thanks for sharing!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 7:59:00 AM CST
OG,
Over the last six months or so I bought myself a pair of binoculars and started getting into astronomy. As a suburbanite I have the same problem with light pollution.
You should check to see if there's an astronomy club in your town, as they often have group nightwatches at some darker locations where you won't have so much light pollution.
Part of the fun is figuring out whether what you're looking at is what you think it is. From where you're describing it though, I would guess it's Venus too.
Great pics!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 10:31:00 AM CST
Kudos to you for getting up early enough to shoot this photo.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 10:42:00 AM CST
Kudos to you for getting up early enough to shoot this photo.
I was leaving for work. I've been trying to catch some decent shots in the morning as I head out to my car. It's not the best area with all of the street lights, but there have been some beautiful sunrises.
That morning it was around 7:10 or so, but I've taken them later on days I'm running late.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 1:33:00 PM CST
I was leaving for work.
Crap, you get up way too early! What did Ben Franklin say?
Stay up late
Get up later
You will find
that life is greater?
ahhh... I love being a man of leisure.