Stargazing Question

[wag]

As I'm driving east in the early morning (I leave the house about 0430 local time) I see a very bright object in the sky which I'm fairly certain is Venus. But above that is another object, not quite as bright and slightly to the right. Does anyone know what this second object is?
Wayne

[Swampfox]

Originally Posted by wag

As I'm driving east in the early morning (I leave the house about 0430 local time) I see a very bright object in the sky which I'm fairly certain is Venus. But above that is another object, not quite as bright and slightly to the right. Does anyone know what this second object is?
Wayne

Jupiter is what you're seeing.

[wag]

Wow that was quick! Thank you.
Wayne

[Swampfox]

Originally Posted by wag

Wow that was quick! Thank you.
Wayne

No problem, glad to help.

I'm up almost every morning to look at the night sky and both have only become visible it the morning sky just recently.

SFX

[Mechanic]

Originally Posted by wag

As I'm driving east in the early morning (I leave the house about 0430 local time) I see a very bright object in the sky which I'm fairly certain is Venus. But above that is another object, not quite as bright and slightly to the right. Does anyone know what this second object is?
Wayne

There's a nice web site that's easy to use and has a multitude of information, one of which is a whole-sky chart that, after you put in your location, will show a current view. You can also type in any future or past date to see what is/was visible. Lots of satellite and probe information, too. (edit: looks like on/about the 8th Venus and Jupiter will visually be at their closest before they start moving away from each other again)

heavens-above.com

[richkat]

I second what Mechanic said Heavens-Above.com is a GREAT site...love the ISS (space station) info......Rich

[sgoti]

I've always loved Stellarium:

Stellarium

[SCEtoAUX]

Yep, was just going to recommend Stellarium. Input your location and you get a view of what the sky looks like at your loction.

There is a feature in the program where you can take a panoramic photo of your area and use it as the background when you have the ground view activated. Haven't done that yet, but it is a nice touch.

[sgoti]

...And then this morning, as I was driving home(!) I could see a red spot below Venus- Aldebaran.

All three were almost in a straight line.

[billy.leliveld]

If you happen to have an iPad or iPhone this app is amazing;
App Store - Star Walk - 5 Stars Astronomy Guide