An explanation please

[resistancia]

I noticed an object in the northeast sky on November 30th 2008. It was to the left of and below 3 prominent stars (in the Big Dipper constellation I think :shrug:). This object was pulsating and changing colours (red,blue,green,yellow) it looked amazing. When I looked through the telescope it was actually moving quite rapidly and I had to adjust a few times to keep it in view.

The object looked fixed to the naked eye but was moving and after a while I could see that it had moved in relation to the other objects around it. I have no coordinates (still learning this) and it was there again the next night.

Does anyone know what it is? I would be grateful for any explanations so that I can edcuate myself astronomically:lol:

[Terry B]

To the right and below the 3 stars (orions belt not the big dipper in the constellation "Orion") is the brightest star in the sky(excluding the sun) called Sirius. When it is near the horizon it will appear to pulstate and change colours due to refraction by the atmosphere. It however will not move relative to the other stars near it. It will move with the other stars as they traverse the sky just like the sun traverses our sky.
If it was moving relative to the stars then it has to be a much closer object like a plane or satellite. Satellites move at a fixed rate across the sky and typically are only visible for a minute or so. Planes of course are much more variable.

cheers

[Blue Skies]

Ah, they actually said it was to the left...

If its the lower left I would expect it to be Betelguese, on the shoulder of Orion.

Any bright star low in the atmosphere will show some atmosphere refraction effects and seem to change colour. The movement is an optical illusion.

Give Orion a chance to get a bit higher in the sky over the next month or so and you'll see it stays in place.

[resistancia]

Thank you for the replies Terry B and Blue Skies.

Yes...I did say on the left. I will explore Betelgeuse and Orion a little further.

I need to become better acquainted with the night sky :)


res

[vindictive666]

And Capella has the same habit of doing the same


first i thought it was a plane but didnt move very nice :)


regards john

[resistancia]

OK...I found exactly what is that I saw !!

http://www.asignobservatory.com/widefield_and_time-lapse.aspx

So Blue Skies this IS Betelgeuse, yeah ?

thanks in advance
Linda

[Blue Skies]

Betelguese is the big orange-coloured star under the belt of Orion in that video. The white star a little further left and up a bit is Bellatrix, marking the other shoulder of Orion. Sirius is the brightest of all, to the right. It looks like the belt points towards it.

[taminga16]

Linda,
The bloke who built and owns A.S.I.G.N Observatory is a forum member, Bloodhound31, Barry.

Regards,

Greg.