Questions about the observation of celestial objects by non-professional astronomers.
Questions tagged [amateur-observing]
595 questions
21
votes
2 answers
Was this an astronomical phenomenon observed in 1689?
In a Swedish church record from 1689 a phenomenon in the sky is described. With my very limited understanding it could be a meteorological or an astronomical phenomenon, so here I ask if it could have have an astronomical phenomenon, and what it was…
pst
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20
votes
5 answers
Solar Analemma - but with a star instead
We (homeschool students and I) are trying to find the answer to this question. Does a star also create Solar Analemma figure 8 when photographed daily for a year?
Has anyone published an experiment where the same star is photographed every night at…
Bookaholic
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14
votes
1 answer
Apparent size of M31
I am trying to understand something I read on wikipedia about M31.
Wikipedia says that M31 appears more than six times as wide as the full Moon.
But I remember that when I watched it naked eye it seamed a lot smaller, even considering that I was…
Mario Stefanutti
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11
votes
2 answers
Time after sunset until star can be seen
Given a star's apparent location and apparent magnitude, how how many degrees below the horizon must the sun be for the star to be visible to the naked eye for an observer on Earth at a specified location and elevation? You can ignore all light…
Double AA
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10
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3 answers
Which planet or star is this?
The picture was taken with a smartphone camera at Latitude 48.860045 | Longitude: 2.366202 the 31th of July at 01h07min15s Paris time. On the left is obviously the Moon, and the lower red circle points the point of Latitude: 48.852886 | Longitude:…
Olórin
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9
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2 answers
What is the bright object above the moon in Sudbury, Ontario?
There is a bright object above the moon in Sudbury, highly visible to the eye, nothing else as bright in the sky except for the moon. I'm looking around 6 and 7am. What is it ?
Jacques Mercure
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8
votes
3 answers
How many new stars visible to the naked eye have appeared since humanity started making records?
No, I don't mean supernovae. Nor novae.
I mean, has the appearance of a legitimate brand-new star of any size visible to the naked eye (i.e. in our own cozy little neighborhood) ever been recorded?
I've been doing some research on this, and all I've…
Ricky
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8
votes
3 answers
Calculate the shadow on earth of a large orbital disk
How to calculate the shadow on earth of a large orbital disk (low orbit)?
Ion Corbu
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7
votes
6 answers
How to find RA 0
I am standing in an open area and can see the sky for a full 360 degrees. I have the coordinates of an object (RA and DEC). Where do I look to find RA 0?
gaintwist
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6
votes
1 answer
What is the minimum meteor size to see a falling star?
When a meteor is going through our atmosphere you will see a light beam made by the gas the meteor compressed. But what is the minimum size to see a 'falling star'? Is a 1 mm3 meteor visible?
Marijn
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6
votes
3 answers
International Space Station
Recently, I have been going out to observe the ISS when it is within sight of my location. I have noticed that the ISS, based on the time that I have to observe the space station during any given transit, moves at a fairly constant speed across the…
user8061
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5
votes
2 answers
What are the objects that are visible from a city?
I live in a light polluted city of the northern hemisphere and I would like to know what I can see with my Skywatcher BK 707AZ2. I have already seen Jupiter (and its moons), Saturn, Mars, M45, the Double cluster, M42 and, obviously, the Moon.
M31,…
Archa
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5
votes
2 answers
Why can't Level replace Horizon when using a Sextant
The title says it all. Why can't I use a projected level mark on a sextant and bring down the Sun/Star/Etc. to the level mark instead of a horizon? Assume that somehow I have figured out a way to hold the sextant level.
So what I am thinking is…
Bookaholic
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5
votes
2 answers
Can someone in a deep well see the stars in daytime?
I am wondering whether it is possible for a guy in a deep well to see the stars in the daytime.
Now the background is dark. So might the stars be visible?
San
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4
votes
1 answer
Where can I find good places to watch stars?
Where can I find good places to watch stars near me? I live in Leicestershire, England and am looking for good places to watch the sky nearby.
An_observer
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