Just wondering what I was looking at.

ODubhain82

Hi all.

I'm just wondering if I saw a planet last night.

Probably a stupid question but here goes anyway..

What I was looking at was the brightest "star" in the part of sky I could see through my window. way brighter than anything else.

It was about 40 degrees in elevation and in the East or
maybe South/East.

When I looked through binoculars (8x50) I noticed 2
fainter stars beside it to the left. For a moment my heart skipped a beat as I thought they may be moons.
I'm now thinking they were probably just stars that happened to appear close to thing I was observing.

I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts on this.

Regards.

Rubecula

Without looking I can't say for certain but perhaps it was Jupiter and two of the Galilean moons.

ODubhain82

Wow! Cool.

Gremlin

ODubhain82
Yes it was Jupiter, pretty cool sight eh? You can easily see Jupiter's four brightest moons when holding binoculars steady, so I'd be sure thats exactly what you saw.

peterako

Sounds like Jupiter alright

Pretty amazing to think that those 'little stars' are moons orbiting another body!

If you see it over sucessive nigts you'll be able to notice that the moons have moved.

If you can, get a tripod, it'll make viewing much more rewarding...and Jupiter and its moons much cleared.

Clear skies,
Peter

Calibos

The 4 largest Galilean moons are visible in Binoculars. You saw 2 which meant the other two were either in front of behind the planet. As others have said check back over the next few days. You'll see the positions have changed and will probably see all 4. They will be arrayed in a reasonably straight line. Thats the orbital plane of the moons around jupiter.

ODubhain82

Did I say Wow already? That is amazing! Can't believe I was looking at another planets actual moons. Have to organize a tripod as I can't hold the binoculars steady enough.