Helpppppppppppp

[julz]

Hi Everyone,

Just became a member to this site and i need all the help i can get i live on the gold coast and i do plenty of tours i know a small amount of info regarding the stars but the planets get me all the time.:scared:
Can anyone help or direct me what planets would i see at the time this time of the year remembering i live on the south east coast of Queensland, Australia.:)

[andrew2008]

I'd recommend downloading Stellarium and maybe buying Astronomy 2009.

Lots of planets visible at the moment. Saturn is in Leo and setting around 10ish. Jupiter is rising earlier and earlier, currently 9ish, Neptune is still within about .5degree away. Venus, mars, mercury are in the dawn sky.

Best of luck.

[AstralTraveller]

I can also recommend Cartes du Ciel, which is also free. Any of these programs allow you to set you location, time and date and see what is up and where it is. Many publications, probably including Astronomy 2009, will have a summary diagram showing what planets are visiable at any time through the year.

All the best with you planet hunting! :hi:

[stephenb]

Hi Julie,

As has been mentioned, I would recommend you download Stellarium at http://www.stellarium.org/ Click on the appropriate link to the right (Windows, Mac etc...) and download it. It is totally a free 'open source' program. After installing, run Stellarium, and you will soon get the hang of moving around the sky by holding the mouse button and moving the mouse around.

You will need to set your location by pressing F6, or the top icon on the side menu - Entering Brisbane, Australia will be plenty accurate to start off with.

Andrew has given you some pretty good hints on where to locate them in the sky. See if you can match up his descriptions to when they appears in Stellarium.

hoo roo.

[Blue Skies]

I recommend getting Astronomy 2009 as well. I regard it as indispensable for beginners.

Also have a look in your local newsagency for the current issue of Australian Sky and Telescope, that will also have current planets and evening constellations.

And then you need to practice, practice, practice! :hi:

[PeterM]

Hi Julie,
You may be interested in an International Year of Astronomy event that the Southern Astronomical Society will be holding this Saturday evening (4th July) on the Gold Coast. Dubbed the IYA Lunar Star Party it will be open to the public free of charge from 5-9pm. There will be many members with various telescopes available to observe through. Just go along to Esplanade Park at Paradise Point. If you like say hello to Noeleen, president of the SAS, she will no doubt be able to point out various planets etc.
PeterM.

[jjjnettie]

Hi Julie,
Welcome to IIS:hi:
Nothing beats getting out under the stars with other more experienced observers.
Check out the Star Parties and Observing Sessions threads for get togethers in your area.
The next big event in South East Queensland is the Queensland Astrofest held at Camp Duckadang near Linville. It's been listed as one of the top 10 Star Parties on the planet.:thumbsup:
There are smaller parties held every month by various Astronomical Societies.

[IvanTheTerrible]

Plus one for Cartes du Ciel. Brilliant progam.

[M54]

:welcome:

Welcome to IIS Julie!

[stephenb]

Julie look like she is going to be busy :thumbsup:

Oh, and welcome!

[Jen]

:hi::hi::hi:
Welcome to IIS Julie :welcome:
When i wanted to learn what was up above at certain times of the year i printed out the monthly skymaps was very helpful for a beginner :thumbsup:;)
I still print it out each month and laminate it :D
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html