The Night Sky

[LAT]

We have lovely dark sky here too, unfortunately it was overcast last weekend and not even a star to be seen.

[Bunnylump]

Just (12 15am) getting a lovely view of Jupiter to the east tonight...

[Bunnylump]

Anyone else had a look at the surface of Mars? http://planetfour.org/#/classify You do have to register, but it's actually amazing. I can't quite get my head round what I'm looking at!!

[Wulfruna]

I was out on a clear night a few days ago when the stars were particularly bright and could see Mars up there very clearly (well, I think I identified Mars, but I'm not an expert!). It made me take more notice of what was reported.

[Bunnylump]

I'm waiting for all the street lights to go out at midnight to pop outside to see what I can see...

[MBH]

Just been in the back garden with Maisie - patchy cloud, but clear areas in the right part of the sky. I'll see what I can see before I go to bed

[LAT]

Lovely clear night last night and hundreds of stars visible but I'm not sure I saw any meteors. But I was pretty tired after my busy weekend and a horrendous day at work so I didn't stay out for long. It confused the cats though as I don't think they understood why I should be standing out in the garden in the dark.

[Bunnylump]

Good old Pers was very kind to me. We stayed out for about 3/4 of an hour and saw about 10-15 meteors. And yes, the cat was perplexed, and so were the foxes!

[SparkOut]

[Wulfruna]

There was a lovely clear sky here and I waited for a while - isn't it funny how you keep thinking you glimpse one out of the corner of your eye in the place you're NOT looking! I guess those were probably just illusions due to my eyes adjusting to the dark....
But then after 10 minutes suddenly there was a definite bright streak, so patience was rewarded Even just one was worth it

[Bunnylump]

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have captured the most comprehensive picture ever assembled of the evolving Universe — and one of the most colourful. The study is called the Ultraviolet Coverage of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field project. Isn't it beautiful?

[chazzie]

As you say beautiful - would love to have that as a picture on my wall....I could stare and wonder at it for hours

[LAT]

Yes,it's very beautiful. Not quite the same Chazzie but come back and stay in our spare room again!

[Scurra]

Of course, it's more fun like this:

[SparkOut]

Aha! That explains dark energy then. Cosmic cats pulling at the fabric of space-time. I see!

[Bunnylump]

Well, this is something to make you think. Did you all hear about the giant asteroid which is going to fly past the Earth today? Apparently it was only detected a couple of weeks ago, and if it had hit us would have had the same effect as an H bomb.

[Bunnylump]

Just in case any of you night owls are interested, there should be a blood supermoon visible tonight. This is when the moon is not only full, but it is closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it look 14% bigger. This is then combined with a lunar eclipse - when the moon passes behind the Earth, giving it a red tint. I REALLY hope the clouds behave so that I can see it!

http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/u ... o=20150928

[LAT]

With work tomorrow I'm not sure I can stay up until 3.47 am but I might have a quick peek after my bath if I'm late enough.

[Bunnylump]

Can't see the night sky any more. Too much light pollution (next door but one.) Also can't park outside our house any more because they had to redistribute three of their vehicles which normally live on their drive (which is now full of Christmas crap.)

Bah, humbug!

[LAT]

Just think, it could have been opposite and you'd have seen it every time you looked out of the window!