Idiotic question?

catgasper · Post by **catgasper** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 3:45 pm

Hello,

I'm not an astronomer, budding or otherwise, but please don't kick me out for asking what to you guys must be an idoitic question. I'm trying to give my 8-year old son an answer!
You see, we have been seeing this very bright star in the sky, and we're wondering what it is. I seriously can't even tell you which direction, but its the brightest star in the sky at night. It looks the same like Mars during the time when it was in our sky. I've searched the whole internet for an answer, but either I couldn't find what I wanted or I didn't understand what was being said! So, when I found this forum, I thought someone might be able to help. This is driving me crazy!

Thanks!
Catherine

Post by **weixing** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 4:02 pm

Hi,
What time did you see this "star"? What colour is it?

If you see it in the west at around 7pm to 8pm, it is Venus (planet). If you see it near directly over head at around 8pm to 10pm, it is Sirus (the brightest star). If you see it in the East at around 9pm, it is Jupiter (the largest planet in the solar system).

Above is my best guess and will change depend on what time you see it and at which direction, because the star and planet will slowly move from east to west due to earth rotation, so time is importance.

Hope the above is useful to you and have a nice day.

PS: There is no such thing as a stupid question, only got stupid answer.... hee hee

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 4:06 pm

Hi Catherine,

If you look towards the west (that is the direction the sun sets) after sunset, the very bright 'star' that is roughly above the sunset is actually the planet Venus. It's a pure white colour. If you look tonight, it will be just above and to the right of the crescent moon.

After 9pm, and in the opposite direction from sunset (east), the bright 'star' that is rising is actually the planet Jupiter. It continues to go higher and higher and, towards midnight, it will look as if its directly overhead.

Most probably, the star that you all saw is either of these two. Don't be afraid to ask any question at all!

To satisfy your son's curiosty even further, you should let him take a look at Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope. They are truly amazing and beautiful!

Sincerely,
Chris

lsy_98 · Post by **lsy_98** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 4:52 pm

Hi Catherine,

If you don't own a telescop then there is a session on coming Friday (27/2/2004) at Temasik Poly start at 8pm. You can bring your son to questions those experts there.

Regards
Soon Yen

catgasper · Post by **catgasper** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 5:35 pm

Hi weixing,

Thanks so much for the quick reply! I'm going to print your answer out, stand at my balcony tonight (around 9pm), and figure out which is north , south, east or west! Then I'll know what is that star, tell my son, and finally be able to sleep tonight! I hope it's a planet, that'll be more exciting! I'll even try to train my lousy bino at it to get a better look.

Thanks again!

catgasper · Post by **catgasper** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 5:55 pm

Wow you guys are great! I didn't expect anyone to pay attention to an ignorant person! Thank you so much. It is great to see Singaporeans with so much passion about astronomy and so willing to help the ignorant. Maybe I can stir my son's interest in astronomy, wouldn't that be great!

Thanks for the invitation to Temasek Poly, it sounds like a great idea. Who do I contact for more details? Will it be simple enough for an 8-year old to understand? Looking through your forum, I find it's all above my head!

Thanks again, all.

With gratitude,
Catherine

Post by **Airconvent** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:10 am

catgasper wrote:Wow you guys are great! I didn't expect anyone to pay attention to an ignorant person! Thank you so much. It is great to see Singaporeans with so much passion about astronomy and so willing to help the ignorant. Maybe I can stir my son's interest in astronomy, wouldn't that be great!

Thanks for the invitation to Temasek Poly, it sounds like a great idea. Who do I contact for more details? Will it be simple enough for an 8-year old to understand? Looking through your forum, I find it's all above my head!

Thanks again, all.

With gratitude,
Catherine

HI Cat,
Just like when you were a child yourself, everything is over your head but you soon out grow that! do join in,...there's no age that is too young in astronomy...my 8 year old kid likes to see points of light in the sky and ask me what they are as well but too bad...his interest stops there.. ... :?
anyway, the way to tell east and west is the sun rises in the east and sets in the west....I'm sure you notice that when hanging out the washing?
from your description, the object is definitely Venus.. the brighest star in the sky, Sirius, will not be so outstanding as to attract a child's attention especially in singapore's polluted sky.

rich

IceAngel · Post by **IceAngel** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:22 am

catgasper wrote: Thanks for the invitation to Temasek Poly, it sounds like a great idea. Who do I contact for more details? Will it be simple enough for an 8-year old to understand? Looking through your forum, I find it's all above my head!

Thanks again, all.

With gratitude,
Catherine

Hi Cat..
I am organising an observation at TP.. i am the organiser.. My name is Leslie and my contact number is 91887155, the event will be in Temasek Poly.. the venue will be in Temasek Poly Sports Complex bcoz there is a big field there... the Sports Complex is located beside School of Business.. you can park your car at the carpark of Business School and walk towards the Sports Complex.. any more enquiry, you can sms or call me at 91887155

catgasper · Post by **catgasper** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:00 am

Hi Rich,

I do remember that in my not-too-distant primary school days (ya, right!), the teacher did tell us that the sun rises in the east. Trouble is, I've not much opportunity to see sunrise and sunsets from my home! By the time I get up, I'm always late for work...so I only notice that the sun IS shining! Then by the time I get home from office, the sun has said its goodbye a long time ago.

Anyway, I can now confirm that what we've been seeing is Venus. It was beautiful last night, wasn't it? My son was so thrilled when I told him. So now he wants to see all the other planets! I was thrilled as well, and messaged all my friends to go look. Some did, and some told me to go fly a kite...ha ha.

I'm waiting to see Jupiter... I don't think I can spot it from my house, so I'll really try to go to that Temasek Poly thingy. (Thanks Leslie!) Can I really make out the planet through a telescope? I tried using my binos
but all I could see were two pinpoints of orangey lights.

anyway, thank you everyone!

Catherine.

blurblock · Post by **blurblock** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:17 am

You can definitely see the planet through a telescope and you will be awe by the sight, especially when you see 4 moons orbiting around it.

There would be quite a few telescope there, I know Sam will be bringing his MN56, reputated to be one of the better scope that can rival scope that are bigger then itself.

.... I am looking forward to the event as well ..... maybe we can see Saturn too .... it's around our sky until late march ..... crossing my fingers ;)