Topaz star...

Rocky_Shorz · 03-01-2010, 09:01 PM

I'm really not sure how to describe it, but over the last month I have been seeing a yellowish star in the sky rising from the horizon right at dusk.

Might be a satellite with a strange reflection but it is Bright and seems to be getting brighter as the weeks have gone by, has anyone else noticed it? It stands out from all the other stars that are white.

I would say it is about 30-40 degrees back from Orion's belt.

Take a look this evening and let me know what you think

fossileyesed · 03-01-2010, 09:16 PM

if you can recognize the constelation that it is in or near this link might help

on the left bottom corner of this page will take to a really cool constelation site
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/con...nis_Minor.html

hope this helps
peace...kent

i'm guessing canis minor,lol

Northern Boy · 03-01-2010, 09:48 PM

Yes i have noticed it now for a month as has Jester looks as though it has an orange/yellow color if one finds the constellation Orion in the nite sky and then looks to its left and down it will be plainly evident those in the southern hemispheres will not be able to view it

Rocky_Shorz · 03-01-2010, 09:58 PM

I've looked at a few of the different map sites like http://www.sky-map.org/ and they don't show anything in the area I'm spotting this star.

do any of the planets in our Galaxy look like a yellow star?

Majorion · 03-01-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky_Shorz

do any of our planets in the solar system look like a yellow star?

Maybe you mean a reddish orange, which would be Mars.

lindabaker · 03-01-2010, 10:03 PM

National Public Radio today stated that Saturn is visible in the US after dusk with a location next to the moon. It is supposed to be a bright yellow/orange color. Could this be the old gas bag, Saturn?

Majorion · 03-01-2010, 10:04 PM

I'm going to check this out, clear skies tonight.

Saturn huh?

Rocky_Shorz · 03-01-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Boy

Yes i have noticed it now for a month as has Jester looks as though it has an orange/yellow color if one finds the constellation Orion in the nite sky and then looks to its left and down it will be plainly evident those in the southern hemispheres will not be able to view it

I knew others must have noticed it also, so the southern Hemisphere can't see Orion this time of year?

Rocky_Shorz · 03-01-2010, 10:16 PM

could it be this?

Rocky_Shorz · 03-01-2010, 10:23 PM

so it takes 29 years to circle the sun and I guess if we are moving towards it, that would explain why it continues getting bigger...

Cassini passes by it again tomorrow, in about 19 hours from now.

NASA Cassini

lucrum · 03-04-2010, 08:03 AM

I'll go out tonight and have a look, got this great app on my cellphone which can show me on a sky-map what I'm pointing it at. Doesn't sound like mars from your description, as it is further east on the night sky compared to Orion.

Rocky_Shorz · 03-04-2010, 05:38 PM

it is almost in the middle between Orion's belt and the big dipper...

M-1 · 03-05-2010, 12:53 AM

Peaked my interest, setting up to take a look with my little telescope and iGen20/20. If possible will snap a shot of it.

M-1 · 03-05-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky_Shorz

it is almost in the middle between Orion's belt and the big dipper...

The only thing I found at this location was Mars that seems to fit the description. Did not see any other yellowish looking objects.

03-01-2010, 09:01 PM	#1
Rocky_Shorz Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,098	Topaz star... I'm really not sure how to describe it, but over the last month I have been seeing a yellowish star in the sky rising from the horizon right at dusk. Might be a satellite with a strange reflection but it is Bright and seems to be getting brighter as the weeks have gone by, has anyone else noticed it? It stands out from all the other stars that are white. I would say it is about 30-40 degrees back from Orion's belt. Take a look this evening and let me know what you think

03-01-2010, 09:16 PM	#2
fossileyesed Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: northern bc canada Posts: 159	Re: Topaz star... if you can recognize the constelation that it is in or near this link might help on the left bottom corner of this page will take to a really cool constelation site http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/con...nis_Minor.html hope this helps peace...kent i'm guessing canis minor,lol

03-01-2010, 09:48 PM	#3
Northern Boy Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On this Rock Posts: 1,390	Re: Topaz star... Yes i have noticed it now for a month as has Jester looks as though it has an orange/yellow color if one finds the constellation Orion in the nite sky and then looks to its left and down it will be plainly evident those in the southern hemispheres will not be able to view it Last edited by Northern Boy; 03-01-2010 at 09:55 PM.

03-01-2010, 09:58 PM	#4
Rocky_Shorz Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,098	Re: Topaz star... I've looked at a few of the different map sites like http://www.sky-map.org/ and they don't show anything in the area I'm spotting this star. do any of the planets in our Galaxy look like a yellow star? Last edited by Rocky_Shorz; 03-01-2010 at 10:06 PM.

03-01-2010, 10:03 PM	#6
lindabaker Avalon Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 504	Re: Topaz star... National Public Radio today stated that Saturn is visible in the US after dusk with a location next to the moon. It is supposed to be a bright yellow/orange color. Could this be the old gas bag, Saturn?

03-01-2010, 10:04 PM	#7
Majorion Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ∞ Posts: 654	Re: Topaz star... I'm going to check this out, clear skies tonight. Saturn huh?

03-01-2010, 10:16 PM	#9
Rocky_Shorz Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,098	Re: Topaz star... could it be this?

03-01-2010, 10:23 PM	#10
Rocky_Shorz Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,098	Re: Topaz star... so it takes 29 years to circle the sun and I guess if we are moving towards it, that would explain why it continues getting bigger... Cassini passes by it again tomorrow, in about 19 hours from now. NASA Cassini

03-04-2010, 08:03 AM	#11
lucrum Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 209	Re: Topaz star... I'll go out tonight and have a look, got this great app on my cellphone which can show me on a sky-map what I'm pointing it at. Doesn't sound like mars from your description, as it is further east on the night sky compared to Orion.

03-04-2010, 05:38 PM	#12
Rocky_Shorz Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,098	Re: Topaz star... it is almost in the middle between Orion's belt and the big dipper...

03-05-2010, 12:53 AM	#13
M-1 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 8	Re: Topaz star... Peaked my interest, setting up to take a look with my little telescope and iGen20/20. If possible will snap a shot of it.