Simple astronomy question? (Northern UK).

[Zamracene749]

Can anybody enlighten me as to what the very bright planet/ star /satellite it is that is currently(20.00) clearly visible almost due west? My 10 year old niece asked me earlier, ashamed to say i couldn't tell her......

 

[Ilove165's]

My mum reckons it's Venus...

Sam

 

[BJMorley]

If It's the Evening Star it's Venus.

 

[me123]

Most likely Venus.

By the way, it's Astronomy not Astrology.

 

[Zamracene749]

Cheers, sure that's what i wrote

Never quite understood why folk think where the stars are will affect their lives-(well, apart from navigators i suppose).....

I thought it might be Venus but wanted to make sure- nothing worse than giving out duff info to kids that look up to you

Most likely Venus.

By the way, it's Astronomy not Astrology.

 

[P156KWJ]

sure it's not Mercury - or is that "the morning star"?

 

[me123]

Venus is the Morning Star. And the Evening Star. It's definitely Venus I'd say.

Mercury can be quite hard to see because it's so close to the sun, and really only appears at dawn and dusk.

I've not seen it though; I live under the smog of Glasgow.

 

[Dennis]

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights might be of some use

 

[Mojo]

This website is also quite good for planets and satellites

http://www.heavens-above.com/

 

[16CSVT2700]

There is a bright star visible about an hour and a half before darkness to the south-west from Twyford.. I've been wondering what it is because I haven't seen it there before!!